Latin

Utopia first appeared in print in 1516, half a millennium ago. Since then it has fascinated readers by its originality and by the acuity and passion of its commentary on political, social and moral issues.

Erasmus wrote Praise of Folly in 1509 as a joke, satirising society from ordinary folk to academia, church and state. Pope Julius barred from Heaven (1513) is satirical dialogue at the gates of heaven between St Peter and the worldly Pope Julius II, who had just died.