Quo Vadis · Chapter
The Last Feast of the Arbiter explained
Petronius, learning that Nero has decreed his death, chooses to take his own life on his own terms.
What happens
Petronius, learning that Nero has decreed his death, chooses to take his own life on his own terms. He hosts a magnificent final banquet at his villa in Cumae, surrounded by friends, music, and art. During the feast, he reads a scathing farewell letter to Nero, then calmly opens his veins. His beloved slave Eunice chooses to die with him, and they pass together in beauty and defiance.
Themes in this chapter
Decadence and Excess
Petronius's final banquet is a display of opulent luxury—golden goblets, perfumed maidens, music, and exotic foods—even as he prepares for death.
Love and Sacrifice
Eunice's choice to die alongside Petronius, mingling her blood with his, exemplifies a profound personal sacrifice born of love.
Tyranny and Corruption
Petronius's letter condemns Nero's murders, arson, and artistic pretensions, highlighting the corruption and tyranny of the imperial court.
Characters to notice
- Petronius
Hosts his final banquet, reads a mocking letter to Nero, and commits suicide by opening his veins, maintaining his elegance and wit to the end.
- Eunice
Petronius's beloved slave; chooses to die with him, mingling her blood with his after he declares his wish to die calmly.
- Nero
Mentioned as the recipient of Petronius's scathing farewell letter; his anger has driven Petronius to suicide.
- Tigellinus
Referenced in Petronius's letter as a mule-driver, highlighting the contempt Petronius holds for him.
- Seneca
Mentioned in the letter among those Nero has killed, as part of Petronius's indictment of the emperor.
Key passages
“I know, O Caesar, that thou art awaiting my arrival with impatience, that thy true heart of a friend is yearning day and night for me.”
I am aware you expect me eagerly, pretending to be a loyal friend.
Petronius's sarcastic opening to his letter, mocking Nero's hypocrisy.
“But to destroy one’s ear for whole years with thy poetry, to see thy belly of a Domitius on slim legs whirled about in Pyrrhic dance; to hear thy music, thy declamation, thy doggerel verses, wretched poet of the suburbs—is a thing surpassing my power, and it has roused in me the wish to die.”
Enduring your terrible poetry, dancing, and music for years is unbearable and has made me want to die.
Petronius's frank critique of Nero's artistic abilities, which he finds insufferable.
“Farewell, but make no music; commit murder, but write no verses; poison people, but dance not; be an incendiary, but play not on a cithara.”
Goodbye—just stop making music, writing verses, dancing, and playing the cithara, even if you keep doing everything else.
Petronius's final, bitter advice to Nero, emphasizing his contempt for Nero's artistic pretensions.
“If the gods gave me immortality, and Caesar gave me power over the earth, I would follow thee still.”
Even if I were immortal and ruled the world, I would still choose to die with you.
Eunice's declaration of eternal devotion to Petronius as she prepares to die with him.