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Nick Montaperto
Professor McEachnie
LBST 2101
1 April, 2014
Petroniuss Satyricon
The class structure in the Roman culture was a very dynamic and ever-present theme that
has survived through the ages. Not only are there distinctions between lower, middle, and upper
class much like in todays society. There was also almost a pseudo-rivalry in the upper class
between new money and old money. Overall, I believe that Petroniuss Satyricon sheds light
on class entitlement, and especially the class divides
The Roman attitude towards class is an ever-present one. Honor, reputation, and
sometimes hard work are the more coveted attributes of an upper class citizen. Throughout the
story, this attitude is made evident through accounts of people rising and falling from fortune,
that the social standing at any particular time in the past isnt overly important. The story of
Trimalchios rocky climb to prosperity starts off with him being a slave. But as he tells the not-so
humble story, he doesnt boast of his current wealth as much as his ethics and determination in
obtaining his wealth (64). The same is said for the fellow-Freedman who barrages Asclytus.
We hear the familiar story from an older-person. In his case, he basically scolds the younger
generation for being ungrateful and how he rose to wealth with complete honor and hard work
(58).
But, these merits appear to only apply to the currently wealthy. The middle and lower
classes (including slaves) were viewed as underlings that were in their own league. The feeling
of entitlement of the upper class and their treatment of the lower classes like they were ill was
common in the ancient times. Even the once slave took to abusing a current slave in the story.
The fellow-Freedman, as mentioned above, is on a rant and starts to belittle a slave boy; Calling
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him worthless and a rat (47). But Trimalchio also alludes to his sense of superiority after hurling
a glass at a womans head. He addresses his friends and says he used to be where they were, with
a tone of pity (64). The last major display of a feeling of superiority is when the slave by falls on
Trimalchio from above. Trimalchio could have easily killed his slave, but for fear of others
thinking he was weak, he had the boy freed. This way no one could say that such a man of
wealth and prowess could be injured by a low level slave (43). The perceived sense of
superiority is so fragile, that he cant even admit he was injured by a slave on accident. This self-
consciousness leads me to believe that the rich, or at least Trimalchio and his guests, were even
more superficial than I once though.
The rich also are very accustomed to supernatural beliefs. Throughout the party countless
references are made to different gods. Even the threat of having a god let loose upon a slave is
mentioned. Trimalchio accredits his wealth and good fortune to his natal god. He then precedes
to foretell the destinies of others born under different gods (29). Lastly and maybe most
importantly, was the presence of good luck charms and certain weighted bracelets. Trimalchio
even had a ten-pound bracelet that is meant to pay homage to the god Mercury. Good luck
charms seem to have been even more present in the world of the rich. They liked to attribute
everything to their gods, and felt as if the gods alone controlled their destiny.