An enormous turbot is presented to Emperor Domitian, who then calls upon his cabinet to determine the very best way to prepare the fish: This absurd situation provides occasion for Juvenal to undertake a broader critique of the decline of politics and morals during his time.

This work re-examines Juvenal's big fish satire through detailed scholarly commentary. It includes the original text along with a new Italian translation. Santorelli demonstrates that Juvenal's satire not only looks back at the earlier period of Domitian's rule but also is intended as an indirect critique of the political system of the Optimus Princeps Trajan.