# XXIV explained — The Golden Ass

> Chapter companion for The Golden Ass by Apuleius.

## What happens

A thief returns to the cave and reports that Lucius Apuleius has been accused of robbing Milo's house. Lucius, now an ass, laments his transformation and the injustice of fortune. A new recruit, Hemus the Thracian, joins the band of thieves, recounting his exploits and presenting stolen gold.

## Themes in this chapter

### Fortune and Suffering

Lucius laments the blindness of Fortune, which rewards the wicked and punishes the innocent, as he suffers unjust accusation.

### Deception and Appearance

Hemus disguises himself as a woman to escape; Lucius is falsely accused based on appearances and forged letters.

### Violence and Cruelty

The thieves' violent acts, the torture of Lucius's servant, and the brutal life of the band highlight cruelty.

## Character check-ins

### Lucius

Transformed into an ass, he is falsely accused of robbing Milo's house and cannot speak to defend himself.

### Milo

His house was robbed, and Lucius is blamed for the theft.

### Fotis

Milo's maid, whom Lucius supposedly seduced to learn the layout of the house.

### Hemus the Thracian

A new recruit to the thieves' band, claiming to be the son of Theron and a renowned thief.

## Key lines

> I endeavored to speak, and fain would have said, Never did I that fact, and verily the first word, never, I cried out once or twice, somewhat handsome, but the residue I could in nowise pronounce, but still remaining in one voice, cried, Never, never, never

I tried to speak and wanted to say 'I never did that deed,' and I managed to cry out 'never' once or twice fairly well, but I could not say the rest, just repeating 'never, never, never.'

_Lucius, as an ass, struggles to articulate his innocence._

> I had rather receive stripes upon my back, then money or gold in my hands. And as for death (which every man doth fear) I pass nothing at all

I would rather be whipped than take money, and I care nothing for death, which everyone fears.

_Hemus boasts of his fearlessness to impress the thieves._

## Links

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