<DIV><b>The Satyricon</b> is a classic of comedy, a superbly funny picture of Nero's Rome as seen through the eyes of Petronius, its most amorous and elegant courtier. <p> William Arrowsmith's translation?a lively, modern, unexpurgated text?recaptures all the ribald humor of Petronius's picaresque satire. It tells the hilarious story of the pleasure-seeking adventures of an educated rogue, Encolpius, his handsome serving boy, Giton, and Ascyltus, who lusts after Giton?three impure pilgrims who live by their wits and other men's purses. <b>The Satyricon</b> unfailingly turns every weakness of the flesh, every foible of the mind, to laughter.</DIV>