Metamorphoses: Books VII-XI

APULEIUS, Lucius, religious philosopher and rhetorician, was born c. A.D. 125 at Madaura in N. Africa. Educated at Carthage and Athens, he travelled in Greece and Asia Minor, became an advocate in Rome, and later returned to Africa. When he married Pudentilla he vindicated himself against her parents' accusation that he practiced magic. The rest of his life he spent at Carthage writing and lecturing and performing priestly duties. Of his extant genuine works the Golden Ass (Metamorphoses) in eleven books is the most famous - a romance or novel (about a man who was turned into an ass) with episodes including the story of Cupid and Psyche. It is a fantastic medley of adventure, horror, humour and beauty, told in a style, simple yet full of subtle artifices and special effects, which fits the theme.