The Satyrica Sparknotes

The Satyrica, by Petronius, helps the modern historian visualize what activities may have occurred in a house like the House of the Vettii. Although Petronius’ work is a satire criticizing the copious decorations and other displays of wealth at fictional Trimalchio’s home, it provides the modern historian with a glimpse of how a home of a wealthy person may have been decorated and how invited guests may have reacted. After all, satire is a hyperbole of the truth that makes fun of certain customs in order to provide a social commentary. It is evident that to the narrator Encolpius, the displays of wealth in Trimalchio’s home serve as a distraction and, later in the narrative, a nuisance. As a result, one can infer that opulence in a Roman home
Rather than punishing the acrobat, Trimalchio grants him his freedom so that “no man could say that a man of his stature had been wounded by a slave.” This further illustrates the importance of social hierarchy as the reputation of this fictional host would have been lowered if others knew what had occurred. The narrative continues as Encolpius and his friend are trying to leave. They remark that the house is like a labyrinth because they can not find the way out. The porter comments that “no guest has ever left the way he came in,” which sarcastically highlights the large scale of the house. Because they simply want to leave, the house appears to be too complex and too large. At this time, Trimalchio’s excessive display of wealth transitions from being unnecessary to actually becoming a nuisance. In their eyes, the house as a display of wealth, power, and importance seems unnecessary. However, because Trimalchio’s rise from slavery probably was not common, his attitude and displays of wealth reveals a certain disconnect from Roman customs at the time. This disconnect results in the guests, Encolpius and his friend especially, feeling annoyed due to the excessive, unnecessary, and inappropriate events that occur while they are