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The Platonic philosopher and author Lucius Apuleius was born about 124 in Madauros, Numidia (in modern Algeria). He was educated at was educated at Carthage and Athens. Apuleius traveled in the Mediterranean region and became interested in contemporary religious initiation rites. Acquainted with works of both Latin and Greek writers, he taught rhetoric in Rome before returning to Africa to marry a rich widow, allegedly using magic to win her affection.
He is chiefly remembered for The Golden Ass (called Metamorphoses by its author), the story of a young man transformed into an ass by magic. In the course of his adventures, Apuleius describes ancient religious mysteries, particularly ceremonies associated with worship of the Egyptian goddess Isis. |