The Golden Asse

Written in the second century A.D., this picaresque classic is the ancient world's only surviving complete novel. Concerning an inquisitive young man transformed into an ass by a magic potion, the narrative digresses into other tales of love, intrigue, and witchcraft ― a story-within-a-story technique that inspired many later authors, including Boccaccio, Cervantes, and Rabelais. This lavish hardcover edition reproduces the John Lane/Bodley Head version, first published in London in 1923. William Adlington's highly readable 16th-century translation from Latin to English is enhanced by 16 full-page plates, eight in color, and numerous black-and-white images by noted illustrator Jean de Bosschère.

Born in AD 124 in what is now Algeria, Lucius Apuleius traveled widely throughout the ancient world, visiting Athens, Italy, Asia Minor, and Egypt. The Golden Asse reflects his strong interests in both philosophy and magic.
Belgian writer and painter Jean de Bosschère (1878–1953) was deeply influenced by the style of Aubrey Beardsley and illustrated works by Oscar Wilde and Charles Baudelaire as well as erotic classics by Aristophanes and Ovid.

I. How Apuleius riding in Thessaly, fortuned to fall into Company with Two Strangers, that reasoned together of the Mighty Power of Witches
II. How Apuleius told to the Strangers, what he saw a Jugler do in Athens
III. How Socrates in his Returns from Macedony to Larissa, was Spoyled and Robbed, and how he fell acquainted with one Meroe a Witch
IV. How Meroe the Witch turned Divers Persons into Miserable Beasts
V. How Socrates and Aristomenus slept together in one Chamber, and how they were handled by Witches
VI. How Apuleius came to a City named Hipate and was lodged in one Milos House, and brought him Letters from Demeas of Corinth
VII. How Apuleius going to buy Fish, met with his Companion Pythias
VIII. How Apuleius fortuned to meet with his Cousin Byrrhena
IX. How Apuleius fell in Love with Fotis
X. How Byrrhena sent Victuals unto Apuleius, and how he talked with Milo of Diophanes, and how he lay with Fotis
XI. How Apuleius supped with Byrrhena, and what a Strange Tale Bellephoron told at the Table
XII. How Apuleius was taken and put in Prison for MurtherXIII. How Apuleius was accused by an Old Man, and how hee answered for HimselfeXIV. How Apuleius was accused by Two Women, and how the Slaine Bodies were found Blowne BladdersXV. How Fotis told to Apuleius, what Witchcraft her Mistresse did useXVI. How Fotis brought Apuleius to see her Mistresse enchantXVII. How Apuleius thinking to be turned into a Bird, was turned into an Asse, and how hee was led away by ThevesXVIII. How Apuleius thinking to eat Roses, was cruelly beaten by a Gardener, and chased by DogsXIX. How Apuleius was prevented of his Purpose, and how the Theeves came to their DenXX. How Trasileon was disguised in a Beares Skin, and how he was handledXXI. How the Theeves stole away a Gentlewoman, and brought her to their DenXXII. The most Pleasant and Delectable Tale of the Marriage of Cupid and PsychesXXIII. How Apuleius carried away the Gentlewoman, and how they were taken againe by the Theeves, and what a Kind of Death was invented for themXXIV. How hee that was left behinde at Hippata did bring News concerning the Robbery of Miloes House, came home and declared to his Company, that all the Fault was laid to one Apuleius his ChargeXXV. How the Death of the Asse, and the Gentlewoman was stayedXXVI. How all the Theeves were brought asleepe by their New CompanionXXVII. How the Gentlewoman was carried Home by her Husband while the Theeves were asleepe, and how much Apuleius was made ofXXVIII. How Apuleius was made a Common Asse to fetch home Wood, and how he was handled by a BoyXXIX. How Apuleius was accused of Lechery by the BoyXXX. How the Boy that lead Apuleius to the Field, was slaine in the WoodXXXI. How Apuleius was cruelly beaten by the Mother of the Boy that was slaineXXXII. How a Young Man came and declared the Miserable Death of Lepolemus and his Wife CharitesXXXIII. How Apuleius was lead away by the Horsekeeper: and what Danger he was inXXXIV. How the Shepheards determined to abide in a Certaine Wood to cure their WoundsXXXV. How a Woman killed her selfe and her Child, because her Husband haunted HarlotsXXXVI. How Apuleius was cheapned by Divers Persons, and how they looked in his Mouth to know his AgeXXXVII. How Apuleius saved himselfe from the Cooke, breaking his Halter, and of Other Things that happenedXXXVIII. Of the Deceipt of a Woman which made her Husband CuckoldXXXIX. How the Priests of the Goddesse Siria were taken and put in Prison, and how Apuleius was sold to a BakerXL. How Apuleius was handled by the Bakers Wife, which was a HarlotXLI. How Barbarus being jealous over his Wife, commanded that shee should be kept close in his House, and what happenedXLII. How Apuleius after the Baker was hanged, was sold to a Gardener, and what Dreadfull Things happenedXLIII. How Apuleius was found by his ShadowXLIV. How the Souldier drave Apuleius away, and how he came to a Captaines House, and what happened thereXLV. How Apuleius was sold to Two Brethren, whereof one was a Baker, and the other a Cooke, and how finely and daintiily he faredXLVI. How a Certaine Matron fell  in Love with Apuleius, how hee had his Pleasure with her, and what Other Things happenedXLVII. How Apuleius by Roses and Prayer returned to his Humane ShapeXLVIII. How the Parents and Friends of Apuleius heard News that he was Alive and in Health