Apuleius (sometimes called Lucius Apuleius; c. 125 – c. 180) is a Latin prose writer.

He is Numidian Berber, from Madaurus (now M'Daourouch, Algeria).

He studies Platonist philosophy in Athens; travels to Italy, Asia Minor and Egypt; and is an initiate in several cults or mysteries.

The most famous incident in his life is when he is accused of using magic to gain the attentions (and fortune) of a wealthy widow.

He declaims and then distributes a witty tour de force in his own defense before the proconsul and a court of magistrates convened in Sabratha, near Tripoli.

This is known as the Apologia.

His most famous work is his bawdy picaresque novel, the Metamorphoses, otherwise known as The Golden Ass.

It is the only Latin novel that has survived in its entirety.

It relates the ludicrous adventures of one Lucius, who experiments with magic and is accidentally turned into a donkey.