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The book tells the story of Encolpius, a narrator who has fallen on hard times and finds himself in a state of poverty and begging. He reunites with his friend Ascyltos, who has taken a new lover, Giton, sparking jealousy in Encolpius. The two friends part ways, and Encolpius meets a poet named Eumolpus, who becomes infatuated with Giton, leading to tension between Encolpius and Eumolpus. The story takes a turn when Encolpius, Ascyltos, and Giton attend a chaotic dinner party at the home of the wealthy and eccentric Trimalchio, where they experience a series of strange and humorous events. Amidst the excesses of the dinner party, Encolpius's feelings of jealousy and resentment towards Ascyltos come to a head, leading to a violent argument. Eventually, Encolpius and Giton escape the dinner party and reunite, but their reconciliation is short-lived as they soon find themselves on a ship at sea, facing new challenges and dangers. Throughout the book, the characters navigate themes of love, loss, and redemption, all while encountering a cast of eccentric and often humorous characters.
The story begins with the narrator, Encolpius, reflecting on his life and how he has been reduced to a state of poverty and begging. He meets his friend Ascyltos, and they discuss their past adventures and misfortunes. Ascyltos tells Encolpius that he has found a new lover, a young boy named Giton, and Encolpius becomes jealous. The two friends argue and eventually part ways, with Encolpius vowing to take revenge on Ascyltos. Encolpius then meets a poet named Eumolpus, who tells him about his own experiences with love and loss. Eumolpus becomes infatuated with Giton and begins to pursue him, causing tension between Encolpius and Eumolpus. Meanwhile, Ascyltos and Giton are on a ship, where they encounter their old enemies, Lycas and Tryphœna. The ship's owner, Lycas, has a vision that Encolpius is on board, and Tryphœna has a similar vision that Giton is on the ship. Eumolpus, who is also on the ship, tries to convince Lycas and Tryphœna that their visions are just illusions, but they are determined to find Encolpius and Giton. The story ends with Eumolpus trying to protect Encolpius and Giton from Lycas and Tryphœna, while also pursuing his own desires for Giton.
The narrator, Encolpius, and his friends Ascyltos and Giton, attend a dinner party at the home of Trimalchio, a wealthy and eccentric freedman. The dinner is a lavish and chaotic affair, with many strange and humorous events occurring. Trimalchio is a boorish and pretentious host, who constantly boasts about his wealth and status. The narrator is shocked and amused by the excesses of the dinner party, and he and his friends struggle to keep up with the antics of Trimalchio and his guests. Meanwhile, Encolpius is still pining for Giton, who has chosen to stay with Ascyltos. The narrator's feelings of jealousy and resentment towards Ascyltos come to a head, and the two friends have a violent argument. In the end, Encolpius and Giton escape from the dinner party and make their way back to their lodgings, where they are reunited and make amends. However, their reconciliation is short-lived, as they soon find themselves on a ship at sea, where they must navigate a new set of challenges and dangers.