Selected Satires of Lucian (The Norton Library)

If you ever get in a mood where you're suspecting that philosophy rots the brain, take a break and dip into this wonderful book.Others have noted that Lucian influenced Erasmus. I would reply, "Not enough!" I have never been able to read more than two pages of the supposedly hilarious "In Praise of Folly," but I can read anything and everything by Lucian, including his great satire, "Philosophies For Sale," where Zeus tries to raise a little cash by auctioning off philosophers, beginning with "that long-haired guy over there," Pythagoras. His little dialogue, "Timon," has volumes to say about Wealth, and says it all in about fifteen pages.Lucian loves to poke fun at Socrates, as well, openly doubting the "purity" of Socrates' love for handsome young men."Alexander the Quack Prophet" may be Lucian's best piece. It's based upon a real person who lived at the same time as Lucian. I think the most memorable character is one Rutilianus, who is a mature, sensible Roman who has served Rome well in many important functions, but has a serious screw loose when it comes to religious gullibility. The satire is really deadly, especially if you have ever known someone who fits "the Rutilianus Profile." :-)It's fun reading, but, like most satire, it's making some serious points during all the fun.

i've purchased several recent editions of lucian, and this seems to me the best selection in the best (least mannered) translation. we get the "true story", precursor to all modern science fiction; "alexander the false prophet," a magnificent secular takedown of religious gullibility, and a wealth of sarcasms directed at fatuous fashions, authoritarian pretensions and superstitious idiocies that have not changed much across the centuries. lucian's innovation of applying the solemn form of the philosophical dialog to the purposes of scathing and riotous satire seems to arise from the epicurean belief that most philosophy is absurd fantasy and most social norms are unjustified habits. epicurean philosophy always aimed by rational explanation of the physical world to relieve mankind of the anxieties that belief in the supernatural seems to feed, and in these works lucian adds to reason the sparkling antidote of laughter and lighthearted parody.

Lucian is often referenced and given credit for his influence by the likes of Erasmus, Thomas More, Swift and Rabelais. By learning from Lucian, they were able to put a humorous and satirical spin on their troubling times, although their warnings were not without risk to their well-being. Lionel Casson’s translation is a fun, enlightening read and the endnotes are most helpful. The Roman, Juvenal, was a near-contemporary of Lucian who also wrote the earliest satire. It is interesting to compare and contrast the two.

Good quality and cheap.

This is an edited work and is well worth the purchase. Especially the dialog between Hermotimus and Lycurgis. (sp?) Check itout.

Lucian, the second century (AD) satirist from Syria, was a master storyteller with a peculiar talent for wit and sarcasm. He had a profound impact upon Desiderius Erasmus' writings, such as the "Praise of Folly" and the "Colloquies." Even St Thomas More was greatly indebted to Lucian, whose works More translated and admired. These works are a collection of short stories in narrative and dialogue form. They are very telling of life in the second century of our era, pointing mostly to the philosophical and religious milieu of the Hellenistic world. He attacks sophists and displays his disdain for the priests of the Mystery Cults through the use fierce rhetorical invective. The dialogues with the gods, also, are entertaining bits of literary genius, which will be useful to anyone seeking knowledge of the personality and background of the traditional gods of the Hellenistic world. The Norton edition of Lucian's satires is authoritative, reliable, and will ultimately be a prize for anyone interested in the literature of classical times

I purchased this book based on a reference in another book that suggested that I might gain some understanding of society in the early centuries when the Christian Gospels were being written. From that perspective I have been disappointed.