Origins
270 - 240 BCE - The Roman empire expands into Greece
Re-worked the Greek originals - abolished the chorus in comedies
Roman theatre was more extensive, sophisticated and varied than earlier cultures.
Stock Characters
The Hero (Adulescens) - rich and young. The Maiden (Virgo) - the love interest.
The Sanex - A very varied incantation of the hero's FatherThe Matrona - The Mother
Slaves, Soldier, Parasite, Mercenery and Maids would also help move the plot along
Notable Playwrights
Ennius - Wrote both comedy and Tragedy Pacuvius - Tragedy writer
Gaius Maecenas Melissus & Seneca1st Century Playwright and Dramatist
Platus - 300BC comedy - Pseudolous and Miles Gloriosus Terence - who wrote between 170 BC and 160 BC
Key Facts
The doors led to a Brothel (stage right), a Temple (center stage) and the Hero's house (stage left)
Usually contained some kind of mistaken identity, three doors and stock characters.
Most plays were comedies and followed a very similar pattern
Roman Theatre
