Apuleius (pronounced AP-yoo-LEE-us), also known as Lucius Apuleius Madaurensis (born around 124 and died after 170), was a Roman writer, philosopher, and speaker who lived in the Roman province of Numidia. He was born in the Berber city of Madauros, which is now called M'Daourouch in Algeria. He studied philosophy in Athens, traveled to Italy, Asia Minor, and Egypt, and was part of several secret religious groups. The most well-known event in his life was when he was accused of using magic to win the attention and wealth of a rich widow. He gave his own defense speech before a judge and a group of officials in Sabratha, near Oea (modern-day Tripoli, Libya). This speech, which he later published, is called the Apologia.
His most famous work is a humorous and adventurous story called The Metamorphoses, also known as The Golden Ass. It is the only ancient Latin novel that has survived completely. The story follows Lucius, the main character, who tries magic and is accidentally turned into a donkey. Lucius has many adventures before the goddess Isis changes him back into a human.
Life
Apuleius was born in Madauros, a city in Numidia, which is located on the North African coast near Gaetulia. He described himself as "half-Numidian and half-Gaetulian." Madauros was the place where Augustine of Hippo later studied at a university. The city was far from the Roman-influenced areas of the coast, but it had some well-preserved Roman ruins. Apuleius’s first name is not mentioned in any ancient records. Later medieval manuscripts began calling him Lucius, after the main character in his novel. Most information about his life comes from his defense speech, called the Apology, and his work Florida, which includes selections from his best speeches.
After his father, a local official known as a duumvir, died, Apuleius and his brother inherited nearly two million sesterces, which were ancient Roman coins. Apuleius studied under a teacher in Carthage, where he later lived. After his time in Carthage, he moved to Athens to study Platonist philosophy and other subjects. He then went to Rome to learn Latin rhetoric and likely worked in the law courts for a while before returning to North Africa. He also traveled widely in Asia Minor and Egypt, learning more about philosophy and religion but using up much of his inheritance.
Apuleius was part of several secret religious groups, including the Dionysian Mysteries. He served as a priest of Asclepius, a god of healing, and, according to Augustine, was a priest of the province of Carthage.
Soon after returning home, Apuleius traveled to Alexandria. While traveling there, he became ill in the town of Oea (modern-day Tripoli) and was welcomed into the home of Sicinius Pontianus, a friend from Athens. Pontianus’s mother, Pudentilla, was a wealthy widow. With her son’s approval, Apuleius agreed to marry her. However, Pudentilla’s father-in-law, Herennius Rufinus, was angry that her wealth would leave the family. He encouraged Pontianus, his younger brother Sicinius Pudens, and their uncle Sicinius Aemilianus to accuse Apuleius of using magic to win Pudentilla’s affection. The trial took place in Sabratha, near Tripoli, around 158 AD, before Claudius Maximus, a high official in Africa. The accusation seemed unreasonable, and Apuleius’s powerful defense speech, called the Apologia (A Discourse on Magic), is still available today. In it, he accused a wealthy enemy of turning his home into a brothel and mistreating his wife.
Little is known about Apuleius’s later life. However, because he wrote many works, he likely focused on writing. He occasionally gave public speeches that were well-received. He was responsible for organizing gladiatorial games and wild animal shows in the province. Statues were built in his honor by the Senate of Carthage and other cities.
The exact date, place, and circumstances of Apuleius’s death are unknown. There is no record of his activities after 170 AD, leading some to believe he died around that time, possibly in 171 AD. Others think he may have lived until 180 or even 190 AD.
Works
"The Golden Ass (Asinus Aureus) or Metamorphoses is the only Latin novel that has survived completely. It tells the story of a man named Lucius, who claims to be related to the famous philosophers Plutarch and Sextus of Chaeronea. Lucius tries magic and is accidentally changed into an ass. In this form, he experiences many strange events until he escapes in an unexpected way. Inside this main story are several side stories, the longest being the well-known tale of Cupid and Psyche. This story is a rare example of a fairy tale that has been kept in an ancient written work.
The Metamorphoses ends with Lucius, now human again, wanting to join the secret religious group of Isis. He avoids certain foods, bathes, and cleanses himself. He learns about the Navigium Isidis, a religious ceremony. Then, he is told the secrets of the group’s books, and more secrets are shared before he goes through a test involving a journey to the underworld. Afterward, Lucius is asked to seek initiation into the cult of Osiris in Rome and eventually becomes part of the pastophoroi, a group of priests who serve Isis and Osiris.
Apologia (Apulei Platonici pro Se de Magia) is the version of a defense speech given in Sabratha in 158–159 by Apuleius, who was accused of using magic. He spoke before the proconsul Claudius Maximus. The speech is divided into three parts after the usual introduction and conclusion.
The main value of the Apologia is historical, as it provides important information about Apuleius, magic, and life in Africa during the second century.
parit enim conversatio contemptum, raritas conciliat admirationem (Familiarity breeds contempt, rarity brings admiration).
Apuleius wrote many other works that no longer exist. These included poems, stories, and technical writings on politics, trees, farming, medicine, nature, astronomy, music, and math. He also translated Plato’s Phaedo.
Works that are still around but not written by Apuleius include:"
Apuleian Sphere
The Apuleian Sphere, described in Petosiris to Nechepso, is also called "Columcille's Circle" or "Petosiris' Circle." It is a magical tool used to predict whether a patient will live or die.