Sexual Rivalry in Petronius’ Satyrica

If Petronius’ Satyrica were published today, we would advise our children not to read it. Speaking in 21st-century terms, the book is a manifesto of toxic masculinity. Men in positions of power treat others as mere sex objects, viewing as trifles incidents of sexual denigration, exploitation, and violence. Still, if we put the Satyrica in its proper literary and socio-historical context, the text helps tease out the contradictions of the past and the present.