# XLVIII explained — The Golden Ass

> Chapter companion for The Golden Ass by Apuleius.

## What happens

Lucius's family and friends learn he is alive and come to see him. He becomes a devoted worshipper of Isis, hesitates to take religious orders, but after visions and guidance from the priest, he undergoes initiation into the mysteries of Isis. Later, he travels to Rome, continues his devotion, and is called to receive further initiations into the cults of Osiris and Serapis.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religion and Redemption

Lucius's journey from a transformed ass to a devout initiate of Isis and Osiris highlights themes of religious devotion, redemption, and spiritual rebirth through divine intervention.

### Transformation and Identity

Lucius's physical transformation into an ass and subsequent restoration to human form is paralleled by his spiritual transformation as he embraces religious orders, reflecting a deeper change in identity.

### Fortune and Suffering

Lucius's past suffering as an ass and his present joy at being restored and called to religious service underscore the interplay of fortune and suffering in his life.

## Character check-ins

### Lucius

Lucius is the protagonist who, after being restored to human form, becomes a devoted worshipper of Isis, undergoes initiation, and later receives further religious callings in Rome.

### Isis

The goddess Isis appears to Lucius in visions, guides his initiation, and is worshipped by him in Rome.

### Osiris

The god Osiris appears to Lucius in a vision, calling him to receive a new order of religion, and is associated with the priest Asinius Marcellus.

### Fotis

Fotis is mentioned as the one who mistakenly transformed Lucius into an ass, and through her, his horse was recovered.

### William Adlington

William Adlington is the translator of the text, referenced in the chapter heading and throughout the narrative.

## Key lines

> Then my parents friends and servants of our house understanding that I was not dead, as they were falsely informed, came towards me with great diligence to see me, as a man raised from death to life

Lucius's family and household, having heard he was alive contrary to false reports, hurried to see him as if he had been resurrected.

_This passage highlights the joy of reunion and the theme of false news versus reality._

> thou shalt understand that I approached near unto hell, even to the gates of Proserpina, and after that, I was ravished throughout all the element, I returned to my proper place: About midnight I saw the sun shine, I saw likewise the gods celestial and gods infernal, before whom I presented myself, and worshipped them

Lucius describes his initiation experience as a journey to the underworld and through the heavens, where he witnessed divine beings and worshipped them.

_This mystical account emphasizes the secret and transformative nature of the initiation rites._

> he was called Asinius Marcellus, a name not much disagreeing from my transformation

The priest's name, Asinius Marcellus, reminded Lucius of his own transformation into an ass (asinus in Latin).

_This ironic connection underscores the lingering memory of Lucius's animal form._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xlviii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_golden_ass_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters