Apuleius
Apuleius was a Latin writer and philosopher from Roman Africa. He wrote The Golden Ass, the only Latin novel that survives complete. He was born around 124 in Madauros, present-day M'Daourouch, in the wilaya of Souk Ahras, and died around 170.
Apuleius was a Latin writer and philosopher from Roman Africa. He wrote The Golden Ass, the only Latin novel that survives complete. He was born around 124 in Madauros, present-day M'Daourouch, in the wilaya of Souk Ahras, and died around 170.
The writer's father, a town official, left his 2 sons a large fortune, which allowed the young man to study in Carthage and Athens.
Travel and study filled his early years. He wrote in Latin about philosophy and religion, and in Carthage he became famous as a public speaker.
The Golden Ass, also called the Metamorphoses, tells of a young man turned into a donkey who becomes human again after many adventures. It includes the famous tale of Cupid and Psyche.
In a speech called the Apology, he described himself as half Numidian and half Gaetulian, 2 peoples of North Africa.
Today visitors to the Roman ruins of Madauros can walk in the town where he was born. It lies close to Thagaste, the birthplace of Augustine of Hippo.
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