Martha Habash’s (Department of Fine and Performing Arts) article “Duo Syri in Petronius’ Satyrica.” Latomus 76 (2017): 981-992 in Belgian Classics Journal.
The article examines why Petronius uses “Syrian” to identify thieves who crash a vigil to Priapus and concludes that the author adds this toponym to conjure up stereotypes of Syrians, in order to discredit further the worshipers of this eastern god.
