![]() Instead of becoming a bird, as he had seen the witch do, Lucius becomes an ass. At Lucius’ request, Photis steals some metamorphosing ointment from her mistress. Attracted to the reputed wonders of Thessaly, he spurns those that are readily before him in favor of the illusions he brings with him, i.e., the stories of witches and their powers. This suggests a certain relationship between them, beyond the obvious sexual one depicted on the surface of the novel. ![]() ![]() The names Lucius and Photis share a common calque, light. Up to this point in the narrative, there a several points of interest from a Gnostic perspective. Lucius becomes romantically involved with Milo’s slave Photis, who is instrumental in providing Lucius with the ointment that brings about his transformation into an ass. Ignoring his aunt’s warning, he stays with Milo, whose wife is a witch. Seemingly unimpressed by the mechanical wonders of her palace, he decides to seek lodging in the city. He goes to the home of his aunt Byrrhena. ![]() The city’s reputation for magic excites him, and he wants to see wonders. This is a Roman picaresque novel centering on the adventures of Lucius, who travels to Thessaly to seek his fortune. ![]()
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