Characters Discussed
(Great Characters in Literature)
Encolpius
Encolpius (ehn-KOHL-pee-uhs), the narrator, who despises the artificiality of rhetoric and the poor preparation of his students. He goes off on a series of roguish adventures.
Agamemnon
Agamemnon (a-guh-MEHM-non), a teacher who agrees with Encolpius that students are ill-prepared. He places all the blame on parents who do not force their children to study.
Gito
Gito (GI-toh), Encolpius’ young slave. A handsome boy, he is by turns upset and happy because of the amorous attentions of Ascyltus. He deserts his master for Ascyltus’ service for a time.
Ascyltus
Ascyltus (as-KIHL-tuhs), Encolpius’ friend and companion on many of his adventures.
Lycurgus
Lycurgus (li-KUR-guhs), a rich man and a friend of Ascyltus.
Lichas
Lichas (LI-kuhs), a rich friend of Lycurgus. Completely taken with Encolpius, Lichas invites him and Gito to his house.
Doris
Doris, Lichas’ beautiful wife, to whom Encolpius makes love.
Tryphaena
Tryphaena (tri-FEE-nuh), a beautiful, amoral woman of Lichas’ household who makes love to both Encolpius and Gito. When they tire of her, she spitefully accuses them of making improper advances to her, and they have to flee from Lichas’ house.
Trimalchio
Trimalchio (trih-MAHL-kee-oh), a former slave who is now rich. He is unused to wealth and is very vulgar. He makes a great show of his riches to impress both himself and other people. He gives an elaborate, ostentatious banquet for which his name is still remembered.
Niceros
Niceros (NI-seh-ros), a freedman who tells a tale about a man who turns into a wolf.
Eumolpus
Eumolpus (yew-MOHL-puhs), a poet who becomes Encolpius’ friend and shares in some of his escapades.
Circe
Circe (SUR-see), a woman to whom Encolpius tries to make love.
