# Lucius — The Golden Ass character guide > Lucius in The Golden Ass by Apuleius. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Apuleius, Lucius Apuleius, Lucius of Patrae, Lucian **First appearance:** 0005-the-golden-ass ## Snapshot A restless young man from a good family whose craving to see magic firsthand turns him into an ass and sets him on a long road back to himself. ## Who they are Lucius arrives in Hypata as a well-born traveler with a taste for gossip, wine, and forbidden knowledge, lodging with a miserly host whose household hides a witch. His curiosity is both his charm and his flaw: he cannot leave a secret alone, and that appetite for the marvelous lands him in a shape that strips away his name, his voice, and his human standing. His early misadventures with Fotis and the witches of Thessaly set the whole book in motion, making him the reader's guide through a world where reason and virtue are the only reliable antidotes to beastliness. ## Relationships ### [Milo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/characters/milo) _social_ Lucius stays as a guest in Milo's house during his travels in Thessaly, a hospitable but wary acquaintance. ### [Fotis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/characters/fotis) _romantic_ Fotis, Milo's servant, becomes Lucius's lover and inadvertently causes his transformation into an ass. ### [Pithias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/characters/pithias) _friendship_ Pithias, an old friend of Lucius, helps him recover from a legal and financial setback in Hypata. ### [Byrrhena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/characters/byrrhena) _family_ Byrrhena is Lucius's wealthy and hospitable aunt, who warns him about the dangers of witchcraft in Thessaly. ### [Milo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/characters/milo) _social_ Lucius stays as a guest in Milo's house during his travels in Thessaly, a hospitable but wary acquaintance. ## In the story ### [Epistle Dedicatory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/epistle-dedicatory) The protagonist of the translated book, whose feigned jest is said to figure man's life. ### [To the Reader](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/to-the-reader) The author and protagonist of the book, whose transformation into an ass and restoration to human form is the central allegory discussed. ### [The Preface of the Author to His Son, Faustinus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/the-preface-of-the-author-to-his-son-faustinus) The author identifies himself as the one who lost his human figure and was later restored, referring to his own metamorphosis. ### [The Golden Ass](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/the-golden-ass) The protagonist, a curious young man who travels to Thessaly and is transformed into an ass. ### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/book-i) The narrator and protagonist, traveling to Thessaly and lodging with Milo. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/i) The narrator and protagonist, traveling to Thessaly, who defends the credibility of tales about sorcery and witchcraft. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/ii) Listener to Aristomenus' story; offers to pay for his tale. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/v) Listener to Aristomenus's tale; he expresses belief in the story. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/vi) Arrives in Hypata and lodges with Milo ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/vii) The protagonist, who goes to the market to buy fish and meets his old friend Pithias. ### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/book-ii) The protagonist, eager to learn about magic and increasingly infatuated with Fotis. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/viii) Lucius awakens in Thessaly, driven by curiosity about sorcery, meets his cousin Byrrhena, and resolves to pursue magic despite her warnings. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/ix) Lucius falls deeply in love with Fotis, flirts with her, and arranges a nighttime tryst. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/x) Narrator and protagonist; dines with Milo, recounts the story of Diophanes, and spends the night with Fotis. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xi) Dines with Byrrhena, hears Bellephoron's tale, kills three men he mistakes for thieves, and is put on trial for murder. ### [Book III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/book-iii) The protagonist who is put on trial and later transformed into an ass. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xii) Awakens in despair over the supposed murder, is arrested and led through the city, and stands trial before the judges. ### [How Apuleius was accused by an old man, and how he answered for himself.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xiii) Accused of murder, he defends himself by claiming he killed three thieves in self-defense while protecting Milo's house. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xiv) Accused of murder, forced to uncover the bodies, and later comforted by Milo and the magistrates. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xv) Lucius forgives Fotis and expresses his desire to learn sorcery, showing his curiosity and growing infatuation. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xvi) Eager to witness and partake in Pamphiles' sorcery, he persuades Fotis to give him the transformative ointment. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xvii) Transformed into an ass after using the wrong ointment; retains human consciousness. ### [Book IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/book-iv) Narrates his ongoing misadventures as an ass, including being captured by thieves and later sold. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xviii) Narrating as an ass, he desperately seeks roses to regain human form, suffers hunger, beating, and humiliation. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xix) Narrates as an ass, observing the thieves' journey and arrival at their den. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xx) The narrator, currently in the form of an ass, listens to the thieves' tale and feeds on barley and bread. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xxi) Narrates as an ass, observing the captive maiden and feeling affection for her. ### [Book VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/book-vi) Lucius, still in ass form, is captured by thieves and becomes an unwilling witness to the tragic tale of Charites and Lepolemus. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xxiii) As an ass, he carries the captive maiden in an escape attempt, but they are recaptured by the thieves. ### [Book VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/book-vii) Remains in ass form, captured by thieves, and later helps Charites escape. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xxiv) Transformed into an ass, he is falsely accused of robbing Milo's house and cannot speak to defend himself. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xxv) Narrates as the ass, observing the thieves' debate and the maiden's reaction. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xxvi) The ass who observes the events and inwardly criticizes Charites for her apparent infidelity, before realizing the truth. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xxvii) Narrates his joy at being freed and celebrated, then his suffering as a mill-ass and attack by stallions. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xxviii) As an ass, Lucius endures brutal treatment from a boy, including beatings, overloading, and a fire set on his back. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xxix) Lucius, in the form of an ass, is falsely accused of lechery by the boy and faces the threat of castration. ### [How the boy that led Apuleius to the field, was slain in the wood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xxx) Narrates his experience as an ass, tied to a tree, frightened by a bear, and later taken by a stranger and then recaptured by shepherds. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xxxi) Narrator and protagonist, currently an ass, subjected to cruel beating and burning by the boy's mother. ### [Book VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/book-viii) Narrates the chapter as an ass, observing and suffering through the events. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xxxii) The ass who was present with Charites among the thieves; the young man's tale is told in his hearing. ### [How Apuleius was led away by the horsekeeper: and what danger he was in.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xxxiii) Narrates his perilous journey as an ass, fearing wolves and dogs, and recalling the myth of Pegasus. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xxxiv) Lucius is present as the ass among the shepherds, witnessing the events in the wood. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xxxv) Lucius is traveling and hears the tragic tale from the villagers. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xxxvi) Narrator and protagonist, still in ass form, suffering under the cruel priests. ### [Book IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/book-ix) Continues his journey as an ass, observing human folly and suffering. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xxxvii) Narrates his escape from the cook and his subsequent ordeal, demonstrating his cunning and patience as an ass. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xxxix) Narrates his experiences as an ass, sold to a baker and forced to work in a mill, reflecting on his past human life. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xl) Narrator and protagonist, currently an ass suffering under the baker's wife. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xli) The ass who observes the baker's wife's adultery and deliberately reveals her lover by kicking the bin. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xlii) Narrates his sale to a gardener and his harsh service, including cold and hunger. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xliii) Lucius, still in donkey form, is present throughout the chapter as the ass whose shadow betrays the gardener's hiding place. ### [Book X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/book-x) Lucius, still an ass, is forced to perform lewd acts in the arena and later escapes, leading to his prayer to Isis. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xliv) Narrates the events while in the form of an ass, observing the tragic story of the stepmother and her stepson. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xlv) Narrates his experiences as an ass, enjoying stolen delicacies and learning tricks from his new master Thiasus. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xlvi) Narrates his experiences as an ass in Corinth, including being ridden by Thiasus, performing for crowds, and being used sexually by a matron. ### [Book XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/book-xi) The protagonist, restored to human form after praying to Isis and eating roses; becomes a devoted initiate of the goddess. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xlvii) The protagonist, transformed into an ass, prays to Isis and is restored to human form. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/xlviii) Lucius is the protagonist who, after being restored to human form, becomes a devoted worshipper of Isis, undergoes initiation, and later receives further religious callings in Rome. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/endnotes) Referenced as the protagonist of the Greek romance by Lucius of Patrae, whose work is compared to the extant 'Lucius or the Ass'. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/characters/lucius - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_golden_ass_se/characters