SENECA
APOCOLOCYNTOSIS
WITH AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION BY
            W.H.D. ROUSE, M.A. LITT. D.
MCMXX

INTRODUCTION
This piece is ascribed to Seneca by ancient tradition; it is impossibleto prove that it is his, and impossible to prove that it is not. Thematter will probably continue to be decided by every one according to hisview of Seneca's character and abilities: in the matters of style and ofsentiment much may be said on both sides. Dion Cassius (lx, 35) says thatSeneca composed an [Greek: apokolokintosis] or Pumpkinification of Claudius after his death, the title being a parody of the usual[Greek: apotheosis]; but this title is not given in the MSS. of the Ludusde Morte Claudii, nor is there anything in the piece which suits the titlevery well.
As a literary form, the piece belongs to the class calledSatura Menippea, a satiric medley in prose and verse.
This text is that of Buecheler, with a few trifling changes, which areindicated in the notes. We have been courteously allowed by MessrsWeidmann to use this text. I have to acknowledge the help of Mr Ball'snotes, from which I have taken a few references; but my translation wasmade many years ago.
W.H.D. ROUSE.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Editio Princeps: Lucii Annaei Senecae in morte  Claudii Caesaris Ludus nuper repertus: Rome,  1513.
Latest critical text: Franz Buecheler, Weidmann, 1904 (a reprint with a few changes of the text from  a larger work, Divi Claudii [Greek: Apokolokintosis] in  the Symbola Philologorum Bonnensium, fasc. i,  1864).
Translations and helps: The Satire of Seneca on the  Apotheosis of Claudius, by A.P. Ball (with introduction,  notes, and translations): New York:  Columbia University Press; London, Macmillan,  1902.
SENECA
APOCOLOCYNTOSIS,
OR LUDUS DE MORTE CLAUDII:
THE PUMPKINIFICATION OFCLAUDIUS.
 Virg. Aen. ii, 724
1
I wish to place on record the proceedings in heaven                      October 13 last, of the new year which begins this auspicious age. Itshall be done without malice or favour. This is the truth. Ask if you likehow I know it? To begin with, I am not bound to please you with my answer.Who will compel me? I know the same day made me free, which was the lastday for him who made the proverb true--One must be born either a Pharaohor a fool. If I choose to answer, I will say whatever trips off my tongue.Who has ever made the historian produce witness to swear for him? But ifan authority must be produced, ask of the man who saw Drusilla translatedto heaven: the same man will aver he saw Claudius on the road, dot andcarry one.  Will he nill he, all that happensin heaven he needs must see. He is the custodian of the Appian Way; by thatroute, you know, both Tiberius and Augustus went up to the gods. Questionhim, he will tell you the tale when you are alone; before company he isdumb. You see he swore in the Senate that he beheld Drusilla mountingheavenwards, and all he got for his good news was that everybody gave himthe lie: since when he solemnly swears he will never bear witness again towhat he has seen, not even if he had seen a man murdered in open                        
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