by Janet Brooks
This is the advice I wish I had had before starting my reading. It is not because I am a lawyer, although I do confess to looking for the structure and context as a result of my legal training. At the outset I was in a similar position to a lay reader because Roman law is substantially different from American jurisprudence. I would have had some “Aha!” moments earlier, if I had begun with the following:
- Read the definition of accusatio in the Glossary of Legal Terms for a succinct one paragraph explanation of how a criminal suit unfolds;
- Read the opening two sentences of the definition of calumnia in the Glossary of Legal Terms, skip five sentences and read crimen calumniae and falsa accusatio – don’t miss the punishment by branding!
- Read the brief excerpts from Professor Thomas N. Winter’s dissertation for his spot-on assessment that Apuleius has turned the criminal suit around to expose his accusers;
- Read the “List of Charges” from Professor Winter’s dissertation (it’s only a list, no legalese included);
- Read “Topics of Interest” to help you choose which portions to read.
Whether you will be sampling fish, magic, Pudentilla’s gnarled family life or the whole speech, it’s going to be a wild and fun ride! Apuleius is quite a character.
Enjoy!