Petronius was an ancient Roman author known primarily for his satirical prose. His famous work, Satyricon, humorously depicted Roman society, offering witty commentary and vivid storytelling that still entertains readers today.
If you enjoy reading books by Petronius then you might also like the following authors:
If you liked Petronius, you'll probably also enjoy Apuleius. His stories combine humor, adventure, and satire, often mixed with a bit of magical realism. A great example is The Golden Ass, a novel about a guy named Lucius who accidentally turns himself into a donkey.
Apuleius uses this story to explore themes of identity, desire, and human folly with sharp wit and clever observations.
Readers who appreciate Petronius for his biting humor and satire should definitely check out Juvenal. He specializes in sharp social criticism with a dark comedic edge. His Satires ridicule Roman society, exposing everything from corrupt politicians to greedy heirs.
Juvenal's style is direct and unapologetic, offering a brutally honest look at human nature.
Martial's writing feels like hanging out with someone who always has a quick, clever comeback. If Petronius entertained you, Martial's short and witty poems called Epigrams might be your thing too.
Martial playfully mocks the quirks and absurdities of city life, poking fun at pretentious people, bad poets, and everyday annoyances. His humor is sharp, funny, and still surprisingly relatable.
Fans of Petronius' elegant humor might enjoy Horace, who wrote poetry filled with wisdom, subtle jokes, and witty observations about life. In his collection called Satires, Horace gently teases his friends, criticizes society's excesses, and reflects on life's simple pleasures.
His style is clever but warm, thoughtful without taking itself too seriously.
Lucian shares Petronius' talent for clever satire, entertaining storytelling, and humor. He's particularly good at mixing satire with fantasy and imaginative adventures.
His A True Story is a brilliant satire about a wild journey to the moon, complete with battles in space and strange cultures.
Lucian uses his wild tales to mock the absurd claims of historians, philosophers, and travelers of his time, in a way that's both funny and surprisingly modern.
Rabelais is known for his lively wit and satirical humor. His writing pokes fun at society, religion, and human folly. His novel Gargantua and Pantagruel tells the playful and absurd adventures of two giants, filled with jokes, bawdy humor, and clever social commentary.
Anyone who enjoys Petronius' humorous, sharp style would likely appreciate Rabelais too.
Boccaccio captures human personality with warmth, wit, and realism. His famous work, The Decameron, is a collection of short stories told by friends who flee the plague in Florence.
These stories explore human nature, love, clever tricks, and comic situations, often filled with earthy humor and satire. Readers who liked Petronius' candid portrayal of characters and situations will find much to enjoy in Boccaccio's writing.
Chaucer writes in a playful, conversational style with plenty of humor and keen observation of people. His best-known work, The Canterbury Tales, portrays a diverse and lively group of pilgrims who tell humorous, dramatic, and morally pointed tales.
Like Petronius, Chaucer combines vivid characters, witty dialogue, and social commentary that still resonates today.
Fielding offers readers sharp humor, social insight, and strong storytelling in his novels. His book Tom Jones follows a warm-hearted but mischievous young man's adventures and misadventures.
It is witty, playful, and satirical, exposing the follies and pretensions of society in a humorous way. Petronius admirers will appreciate Fielding’s lively storytelling and clever social insights.
Smollett writes vivid, rambunctious, and satirical stories filled with memorable characters and comic situations. His novel The Adventures of Roderick Random portrays the lively escapades and misfortunes of its spirited hero.
He combines sharp satire, entertaining adventure, and humor, much like Petronius, making his work both enjoyable and thought-provoking.
Laurence Sterne writes in a playful and unconventional style focusing on humor, satire, and unpredictability. If you enjoyed Petronius's lively and satirical approach, you might like Sterne's bestseller, The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman.
It's a humorous and inventive story that mocks literary conventions and human follies.
Jonathan Swift is famous for his sharp wit and satirical observations targeting human vanity, society, and politics.
Fans of Petronius's satirical storytelling may appreciate Swift's classic Gulliver's Travels, an entertaining yet critical exploration of human nature disguised as fantasy and adventure.
Seneca the Younger was a Stoic philosopher who wrote in a straightforward style, exploring morality, self-discipline, and virtue.
Readers who value Petronius's insights into human character and behavior might enjoy Seneca's Letters to Lucilius, where he offers wise counsel on finding meaning and balance in life.
Plautus was a Roman playwright known for comedies full of lively characters, quick humor, and clever wordplay. If Petronius appealed to you with witty dialogue and vibrant scenes, try Plautus's comedy Miles Gloriosus (The Braggart Soldier).
It's entertaining, fast-paced, and pokes fun at human vanity and social pretensions.
Terence was another Roman playwright who portrayed everyday human interactions and relationships in a nuanced, realistic way. His style is quieter and more refined compared to Plautus, focusing on thoughtful character dynamics.
Readers who liked Petronius's realistic approach to social interactions might appreciate Terence's play The Brothers (Adelphoe), a thoughtful comedy exploring family relationships, morality, and personal growth.