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Pseudolus
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2013) |
| Pseudolus | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Plautus |
| Characters |
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| Setting | a street in Athens, before the houses of Simo, Callipho, and Ballio |
Pseudolus is a play by the ancient Roman playwright Titus Maccius Plautus. It is one of the earliest examples of Roman literature. Pseudolus was first shown in 191 BC during the Megalesian Festival,[1] which was a celebration for the Greek Goddess Cybele.[2] The temple for worship of Cybele in Rome was completed during the same year in time for the festival.[3]
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.[4] 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.[5][6]
M. M. Willcock calls this play "Plautus' masterpiece". He adds: "For the special qualities of Plautus – vigour, wit, invention, the charm of low class humanity – this play is supreme."[7]
- ^ Plautus (1965). The Pot of Gold and Other Plays. Penguin Classics. pp. 216. ISBN 978-0-14-044149-9.
- ^ "Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1898), M, Mecyberna, Megalesia". www.perseus.tufts.edu. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
- ^ "LacusCurtius • Roman Religion — The Megalensia (Smith's Dictionary, 1875)". penelope.uchicago.edu. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
- ^ Cicero, De Senectute 14.50.
- ^ Cicero, Pro Roscio Comoedo, 7.20.
- ^ M. M. Willcock (1987), Plautus: Pseudolus, p. vi.
- ^ M. M. Willcock (1987), Plautus: Pseudolus, p. v.
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