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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is a eunuch?

2. How does the translator suspect the modern reader will view the sexual nature of "The Satyricon"?

3. Who made advances toward Ascyltus when he is with the old woman?

4. Who tries to commit suicide by slashing his throat?

5. What does Encolpius do at night when the boy he tutors falls asleep?

Short Essay Questions

1. What about "The Satyricon" resulted in it being viewed as inferior literature in the past?

2. Explain the egg delicacy served after Trimalchio arrives.

3. What was Petronius' title in the emperor's court and what significance was the title?

4. What is Menippean satire?

5. In response to Encolpius' complaints about education, Agamemnon recites a few lines of poetry. Who wrote that poem and summarize it.

6. What job does Encolpius have in Pergamum and why does he accept it?

7. What points to Titus Petronius as the author of "The Satyricon" other than writing style and language?

8. Explain Encolpius and Ascyltus' fight over Giton after their dinner at Trimalchio's.

9. How does Petronius treat sordid events in his story? How would other writers from the era have treated them?

10. Is Petronius a typical satirist for his era? Why or why not?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Eumolpus' lie in the city of Croton. How does he cover it over a period of time?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the role of women in "The Satyricon."

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the main characters of "The Satyricon." Who was the protagonist and what separates that character from the other main characters?

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This section contains 705 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample