Autore: George Colman

Terence, known formally as Publius Terentius Afer, was an accomplished playwright of the Roman Republic whose literary career flourished during the latter half of the 2nd century BCE. Born around 185 BCE in Carthage, Terence was brought to Rome as a slave, but his talent and erudition earned him an education and subsequent emancipation by his Roman senator patron, Terentius Lucanus. Terence”s work is synonymous with the refinement of Latin comedy. He adapted Greek plays from the New Comedy period, specifically those of Menander, for Roman audiences, innovating in the realm of character development and complex plot construction. Six comedies are attributed to him, and collectively they are known as “The Comedies of Terence” (“Comoediae”). These works include “Andria” (The Girl from Andros), “Hecyra” (The Mother-in-Law), “Heauton Timorumenos” (The Self-Tormentor), “Phormio”, “Eunuchus” (The Eunuch), and “Adelphoe” (The Brothers), all of which are revered for their elegant language and skillful blend of humor and pathos. Terence”s influence extended well beyond his lifetime, shaping the development of Renaissance drama and contributing to literary discussions on human behavior and social conventions. While Terence”s life was brief—he is believed to have died young, by 159 BCE—his legacy as a pivotal figure in Western literature is undeniable, with his works continuing to be studied and performed for their timeless insight into human nature and societal norms.