Publius Terentius Afer (Terence) (c. 195-159 BC) (jan 1, 195 BC – jan 1, 159 BC)
Description:
Born in Carthage; known for his comedies; brought to Rome as a slave by Terentius Lucanus; he was said by Julius Caesar to have no vis comica; a member of the “Scipionic Circle” (friends with Scipio Aemilianus); wrote six plays, all extant; died during a trip to Greece; his plays were all set in Athens
Comedies include: Andria (Woman of Andros) (166 BC), Hecyra (The Mother-in-Law) (165 and 160 BC), Heauton Timorumenos (The Self-Tormentor) (163 BC), Eunuchus (161 BC), Phormio (161 BC), Adelphoe (The Brothers) (160 BC)
Hecyra was his only failure, which twice had to be abandoned because of low attendance due to competition (first a tightrope walker and boxers, then a gladiatorial show).
His last play Adelphoe was produced by Scipio Aemelianus for the funeral games of his father Lucius Aemelius Paullus in 160 BC. At those funeral games Hecyra was revived and also shown.
*according to Donatus, it was 195, but Fenestella says it was 185.
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