Pseudolus
Also known as Pl. Ps.
Pseudolus is a play by the ancient Roman playwright Titus Maccius Plautus. It is one of the earliest examples of Roman literature and is a key example of the Fabulae Palliatae which are early Roman Comedies set in a Classical Greek setting. Pseudolus was first shown in 191 BC during the Megalesian Festival, which was a celebration for the Phrygian Goddess Cybele. The temple for worship of Cybele in Rome was completed during the same year in time for the festival.
Book · Open Library
- Author
- Titus Maccius Plautus
- First published
- 1836
- Editions
- 14
- Subjects
- Criticism and interpretation, Latin drama, Latin comedy, Theater, Plays, Plautus, titus maccius, Drama (dramatic works by one author), Romanian literature, history and criticism
via Open Library
Key facts
- Play.name
- Pseudolus
- Play.image
- Duelling men design for the frontispiece of a play PK-T-AW-1637, PK-T-AW-5381b.tiff
- Play.caption
- Design for a frontispiece by Hendrik van Halmael
- Play.writer
- Plautus
- Play.characters
- Simo, Athenian gentleman Calidorus, son of Simo Pseudolus, slave to Simo Callipho, neighbor of Simo Phoenicium, prostitute Ballio, pimp Harpax, slave of an officer Slave boy belonging to Ballio A cook, hired by Ballio Charinus, friend of Calidorus Simia, slave to Charinus
Article
13 sectionsContents
- Characters
- Plot synopsis
- Metrical structure
- Calidorus's despair
- Pseudolus warns Simo and tricks Harpax
- Simia disguised as Harpax
- Ballio is defeated
- Pseudolus celebrates
- Themes
- Quotes
- Adaptations
- Notes
- External links
Pseudolus is a play by the ancient Roman playwright Titus Maccius Plautus. It is one of the earliest examples of Roman literature and is a key example of the Fabulae Palliatae which are early Roman Comedies set in a Classical Greek setting. Pseudolus was first shown in 191 BC during the Megalesian Festival, which was a celebration for the Phrygian Goddess Cybele. The temple for worship of Cybele in Rome was completed during the same year in time for the festival.
Pseudolus was written in Plautus's old age (he was probably over 60 at the time): Cicero mentions it in his book on Old Age as an example of a work written by older men. It proved to be very popular and was frequently revived. Cicero records that in his day the famous actor Roscius frequently took the part of Ballio.