The Satyricon

Encolpius, Ascyltus, and Giton make their way back to the lodgings. Encolpius falls into a drunken sleep, during which time Ascyltus lures Giton into his bed and has sex with him. Encolpius wakes up to find Giton and Ascyltus asleep together; he is enraged and “meditated whether to run the pair of them through with the sword and prolong their sleep in death” (68). Angrily, he wakes them up and tells Ascyltus that their friendship is over, and that Ascyltus must go away. Ascyltus agrees, and they divide up the possessions they have been sharing, until Ascyltus suggests that they should also cut up Giton and divide him.

Ascyltus and Encolpius both draw their swords, preparing to fight, as Giton tearfully pleads with them not to fight over him. Then Ascyltus suggests that they allow Giton to decide who he wants to go with. Initially, this suggestion pleases Encolpius, who feels confident that Giton will be loyal to him. Giton, however, decides to go with Ascyltus. The two men leave, and Encolpius feels betrayed and abandoned. Grief-stricken, he moves to more remote lodgings near the sea. He spends three days lamenting his misfortune, becoming more and more angry, and more set on revenge.