Ancient Roman Theater: Forms and Key Playwrights

Fescennine Verses: Origins and Characteristics

The term "Fescennine Verses" originates from an Etruscan town and is linked to Etruscan harvest festivals celebrating the collection of crops. These verses consisted of dialogues in verse, often satirical and licentious, exchanged between two peasants who sharpened their wit to throw barbs and insults.

Atellan Farce: Improvised Comedy

The Atellan Farce derived its name from the Oscan territory of Atella. These representations consisted of improvised and rudimentary storylines. The actors wore masks, and the characters were always the same, embodying stock types.

Saturae: Early Roman Dramatic Performances

Livy recounts that in 364 B.C., Roman players came to Rome and added music and dance to Etruscan dialogues; this form was called Saturae. When a plot was added to the Saturae, it evolved into a fable, marking a step towards more structured drama.

Latin Drama: Tragedy vs. Comedy

Latin dramatic works primarily fall into two categories: tragedy and comedy. Tragedy presents gods or heroes, and its tone is solemn, with elevated language. Comedy, on the other hand, deals with the common man, and its language is casual and often rude, reflecting everyday life.

Livius Andronicus: Pioneer of Latin Literature

Livius Andronicus was a Greek prisoner from Tarentum. He was a slave in Rome, later granted freedom, and dedicated himself to being an educator. His credited tragedies include Achilles, The Trojan Horse, and Aegisthus. Among his comedies are Puñalito and Histrionic.

Naevius: Roman Poet and Dramatist

Naevius was a Roman poet obsessed with his freedom, to the point that he attacked Scipio and Metellus, which led to his imprisonment and exile. Some of his plays include The Sycophant, The Seer, and The Potter. His tragedies include Iphigenia and Hector's Farewell.

Ennius: Master of Three Tongues

Ennius came from Calabria and mastered three languages: Latin, Greek, and Oscan. He adapted Greek tragedies such as Ajax, Andromache, and Hecuba. He also wrote two Roman-themed tragedies: The Rape of the Sabine Women and The Conquest of Ambracia.

Plautus: Master of Roman Comedy

Plautus, who hailed from Umbria, wrote comedies that belong to the genre of fabula palliata. These were Greek works with Greek characters, action, and content. Plautus imitated Greek authors like Menander, Philemon, and Diphilus. The subject matter of Plautus' comedies often deals with common people and street life. His works were preceded by a prologue that presented the argument, as the audience preferred to know the plot to ensure a good outcome. Plautus' works typically consist of five acts. His credited comedies include: The Host, The Pot of Gold, The Menaechmi (Twins), and The Swindler.

Terence: Refined Roman Comedian

Terence was a slave of African origin who took his name from Senator Terentius Lucanus, who granted him freedom. Terence's comedies were preceded by a prologue that contained information about the author and the title of the original Greek work. He wrote more than six comedies, including Andria, Hecyra (The Mother-in-Law), and Phormio.