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Theatre of ancient Rome

The architectural form of theatre in Rome has been linked to later, more well-known examples from the 1st century BC to the 3rd Century AD.[1] The theatre of ancient Rome referred to a period of time in which theatrical practice and performance took place in Rome. The tradition has been linked back even further to the 4th century BC, following the state’s transition from monarchy to republic.[1] Theatre during this era is generally separated into genres of tragedy and comedy, which are represented by a particular style of architecture and stage play, and conveyed to an audience purely as a form of entertainment and control.[2] When it came to the audience, Romans favored entertainment and performance over tragedy and drama, displaying a more modern form of theatre that is still used in contemporary times.[2]

'Spectacle' became an essential part of an everyday Romans expectations when it came to theatre.[1] Some works by Plautus, Terence, and Seneca the Younger that survive to this day, highlight the different aspects of Roman society and culture at the time, including advancements in Roman literature and theatre.[1] Theatre during this period of time would come to represent an important aspect of Roman society during the Republican and Imperial periods of Rome.[1]

The adulescens is an unmarried man, usually in late teens or twenties; his action typically surrounds the pursuit of the love of a prostitute or slave girl, who is later revealed to be a free-born woman, and therefore eligible for marriage. The adulescens character is typically accompanied by a clever slave character, the pseudolus servus who attempts to solve the adulescens’ problems or shield him from conflict.

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The senex is primarily concerned with his relationship with his son, the adulescens. Although he often opposes his son's choice of love interest, he sometimes helps him to achieve his desires. He is sometimes in love with the same woman as his son, a woman who is much too young for the senex. He never gets the girl and is often dragged off by his irate wife.

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The leno is the character of the pimp or 'slave dealer.' Although the activities of the character are portrayed as highly immoral and vile, the leno always acts legally and is always paid in full for his services.

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The miles gloriosus is an arrogant, braggart soldier character, deriving from Greek Old Comedy. The character’s title is taken from a play of the same name written by Plautus. The miles gloriosus character is typically gullible, cowardly, and boastful.

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The parasitus (parasite) is often portrayed as a selfish liar. He is typically associated with the miles gloriosus character, and hangs upon his every word. The parasitus is primarily concerned with his own appetite, or from where he will obtain his next free meal.

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The matrona is the character of the wife and mother, and is usually displayed as an annoyance to her husband, constantly getting in the way of his freedom to pursue other women. After catching her husband with another woman, she typically ends the affair and forgives him. She loves her children, but is often temperamental towards her husband.

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The virgo (young maiden) is an unmarried young woman, and is the love interest of the adulescens, She is often spoken of, but remains offstage. A typical plot point in the last act of the play reveals her to be of freeborn descent, and therefore eligible for marriage.

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a Greek slave taken to Rome in 240 BC; wrote plays based on Greek subjects and existing plays. Rome's first playwright.

Livius Andronicus

3rd century BC comedic playwright and author of Miles Gloriosus, Pseudolus, and Menaechmi.

Plautus

wrote between 170 and 160 BC.

Terence

writing in the second century BC.

Titinius

1st century playwright of a "comedy of manners".

Gaius Maecenas Melissus

1st century dramatist most famous for Roman adaptations of ancient Greek plays (e.g. Medea and Phaedra.)

Seneca

contemporary of Plautus who wrote both comedy and tragedy.

Ennius

tragic poet and literary scholar.

Lucius Accius

Ennius's nephew and tragic playwright.

Pacuvius

- Dr. Thomas G. Hines, Department of Theatre, Whitman College

The Ancient Theatre Archive, Greek and Roman theatre architecture

Cliff, U., Clio History Journal, 2009.

The Roman Theatre

Roman Colosseum, 2008.

Roman Theater

Mark Damen, Utah State University

Classical Drama and Theatre

A Short History of the Drama, Martha Fletcher Bellinger

What the Roman Play Was Like

Anne H. Groton, Olaf College

Rhyme, Women, and Song: Getting in Tune with Plautus