The first three chapters of this text elucidate the scholastic goals of both classical cultures during the Roman Imperial period. Apuleius’ works share the stage in these chapters with representatives of the 2nd-century Greek cultural paradigm. They define patterns of discourse and fit selected examples of analogous Apuleian strategies into the broader cultural framework. Subsequent chapters focus closely on the complete Apuleian corpus under the general headings of Apuleius in the roles of orator, philosopher and novelist.