Circe in Petronius Sat. 126, 1–139, 4

Abstract

Circe, named after Homer’s sorceress and pictured in the Satyricon, is one of the most famous, intriguing and ambiguous characters in ancient Roman literature. Her vain intercourse with Encolpius in Petronius’ romance has been investigated in various ways. The author dares to add some remarks, arguing that this sexual unfulfillment may also have been caused by a social and artistic gap created ad hoc between the two lovers.