Gaius Petronius (c. 27–66 AD) is the author of the famous comic novel Satyricon, our only source on the daily talk and manners of Nero’s Rome—in particular, that of the newly rich, who were deemed to have neither taste nor refinement. Petronius was close to Nero and acted in his court as the “director of elegance.” The association led to false accusations of plotting to assassinate the emperor. Instead of awaiting execution, he slashed his wrists, then bandaged them in order to spend his last hours hosting a banquet, slowly bleeding to death during dinner.
WORKS THAT HAVE APPEARED IN NARRATIVE:
- The Young Widow, a short short, in Stories of the Week: 2014–2015