The Golden Ass · Chapter
XIX explained
Lucius, as an ass, is forced to continue the journey with the thieves after another ass feigns death and is killed.
What happens
Lucius, as an ass, is forced to continue the journey with the thieves after another ass feigns death and is killed. They arrive at the thieves' den, a naturally fortified hideout. The thieves berate an old woman caretaker, then wash and feast. A second group of thieves arrives with plunder, and a dispute arises over their respective exploits. One recounts the failed robbery of Chriseros, resulting in the death of their captain Lamathus, and the subsequent death of Alcimus during another robbery, before they moved on to Platea where Demochares's bears were dying.
Themes in this chapter
Violence and Cruelty
The chapter is steeped in graphic violence: the killing of the feigning ass, the self-mutilation and suicide of Lamathus, and the death of Alcimus.
Fortune and Suffering
Lucius's suffering as an overburdened ass and the thieves' recounting of their comrades' misfortunes highlight the capriciousness of fate.
Characters to notice
- Lucius
Narrates as an ass, observing the thieves' journey and arrival at their den.
- Lamathus
Valiant captain of the thieves; his hand is nailed to a door during a robbery and he commits suicide.
- Chriseros
A rich miser who nails Lamathus's hand to his door.
- Alcimus
A thief who is thrown from a window by an old woman and dies.
- Demochares
A wealthy man preparing games with bears, which are dying from various ailments.
Key passages
“Then I considering with myself of the evil fortune of my poor companion, and purposed now to forget all subtlety and deceit, and to play the good ass to get my masters favour, for I perceived by their talk that we were come home well-nigh at our journey’s end.”
Reflecting on my fellow ass's bad luck, I decided to abandon all tricks and behave obediently to win the thieves' goodwill, since I gathered from their conversation that we were almost at our destination.
Lucius abandons his plan to feign collapse after witnessing the other ass's fate.
“But the covetous caitiff Chriseros being awake, and making no noise came softly to the door and caught his hand and with a great nail nailed it fast to the post.”
But the miserly wretch Chriseros, who was awake and silent, crept to the door, seized Lamathus's hand, and nailed it securely to the doorpost.
The thief Lamathus is trapped by his victim during a burglary.