This volume presents selected works by Lucian of Samosata, a prominent satirist and rhetorician of the 2nd century AD. Included are "Charon," "Vita" (likely referring to "How to Write History"), and "Timon," offering a representative sample of Lucian's wit and philosophical insight. Lucian's writings provide a window into the social and intellectual landscape of the Roman Empire, marked by sharp critiques of philosophical pretensions and societal follies. These selections, edited with scholarly care by Douglas Sheldon Smith, offer readers an accessible entry point into Lucian's enduring literary legacy. "Charon" explores themes of mortality and the afterlife, while "Timon" satirizes misanthropy and the vagaries of fortune. Lucian's works remain relevant for their timeless observations on human nature and the art of rhetoric.

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