Both authors—Seneca and Petronius—were courtesans in the Nero court during the same time. The Satyricon takes place in various areas of the Mediterranean countryside—in the towns of Puteoli, Pergamum and Croton. The nationality of the main characters is undetermined but it is safe to say they are either Greek or Roman and therefore, they towns they visit are either in Greece or Italy. It is mentioned that the town of Pergamum is located on the sea.