# Terence

> Roman comic playwright (2nd cent. BC)

**Wikidata**: [Q172048](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q172048)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terence)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/terence

## Summary

Terence (Publius Terentius Afer) was a Roman comic playwright active during the 2nd century BCE. Born around 185 BCE and dying in 159 BCE, he was a freedman of Roman citizenship who wrote six complete comedies that became foundational works of Latin literature. His plays—Andria, Hecyra, Heauton Timorumenos, Eunuchus, Phormio, and Adelphoe—adapted Greek New Comedy for Roman audiences and are the only complete surviving examples of Roman comedy aside from the works of Plautus.

## Biography

- **Born**: Approximately 185 BCE (likely in Carthage or possibly in Greece)
- **Nationality**: Roman Republic (citizenship: Q1747689)
- **Education**: Likely received Greek education; was a slave of a Roman senator who educated him
- **Known for**: Writing six Latin comedies that adapted Greek New Comedy for Roman audiences
- **Employer(s)**: Patronized by Roman senators, including Scipio Aemilianus and Gaius Laelius
- **Field(s)**: Comedy, drama, poetry, playwright

## Contributions

Terence authored six complete comedic plays that survive to the present day:

1. **Andria** (The Girl from Andros) – His first play, adapted from Menander
2. **Hecyra** (The Mother-in-Law) – Notably failed at its first performance but later succeeded
3. **Heauton Timorumenos** (The Self-Tormentor)
4. **Eunuchus** (The Eunuch) – His most popular play during his lifetime
5. **Phormio** – Adapted from Apollodorus of Carystus
6. **Adelphoe** (The Brothers) – His final play, adapted from Menander's Dis Exapaton

His contributions established him as one of the two primary Roman comic playwrights whose works survive, alongside Plautus. Terence's plays were performed at Roman theatrical festivals and were studied in Roman educational systems for centuries after his death.

## FAQs

**What is Terence best known for?**
Terence is best known for writing six Latin comedies that adapted Greek New Comedy for Roman audiences. His works—Andria, Hecyra, Heauton Timorumenos, Eunuchus, Phormio, and Adelphoe—are the primary surviving examples of Roman comic drama from the 2nd century BCE.

**Where was Terence born?**
The exact birthplace is uncertain. His cognomen "Afer" suggests African origin, possibly Carthage, though some scholars believe he may have been born in Greece. He was brought to Rome as a slave and later freed.

**How many plays did Terence write?**
Terence wrote six complete comedies, all of which survive: Andria, Hecyra, Heauton Timorumenos, Eunuchus, Phormio, and Adelphoe.

**What was distinctive about Terence's dramatic style?**
Terence was known for his refined Latin style, complex plot structures, and emphasis on character development. Unlike Plautus, whose plays are more farcical and populist, Terence's works are considered more literary and psychologically nuanced.

**Who were Terence's patrons?**
Terence was patronized by prominent Roman nobles, including Scipio Aemilianus (Scipio Africanus the Younger) and Gaius Laelius. His relationship with these patrons is referenced in ancient sources.

**When did Terence live?**
Terence was born around 185 BCE and died in 159 BCE, making him active during the middle period of the Roman Republic.

## Why They Matter

Terence holds a unique position in Western literature as one of only two Roman comic playwrights whose complete works survive (the other being Plautus). His six plays serve as the primary window into Roman comedy and, through their adaptation of Greek New Comedy, preserve theatrical traditions that would otherwise be lost. The influence of Terence's works extended far beyond antiquity; his plays were standard reading in Roman education, studied throughout the medieval period, and continued to be performed and adapted through the Renaissance and into the modern era. His refined literary style set a standard for Latin prose that influenced subsequent Roman writers. Without Terence, our understanding of 2nd-century BCE Roman culture, entertainment, and literary achievement would be severely limited, as his works provide direct evidence of how Romans adapted Greek theatrical traditions to create their own comedic forms.

## Notable For

- Authoring six complete Latin comedies that survive in full
- Being one of only two Roman comic playwrights whose complete works survive (alongside Plautus)
- Writing plays that were performed at Roman festivals and continued to be studied for centuries
- Developing a refined, literary style that influenced subsequent Latin writers
- Having his works used as educational texts in Roman and medieval schools
- Being a freedman who achieved literary prominence in the Roman Republic
- Writing the Eunuchus, which was his most popular play during his lifetime

## Body

### Early Life and Background

Terence was born around 185 BCE, though his exact birthplace is debated among scholars. His cognomen "Afer" suggests African origin, and ancient sources indicate he may have been born in Carthage or possibly in Greece. He was brought to Rome as a slave and became the property of a Roman senator who provided him with an education. After gaining his freedom, Terence took the name Publius Terentius Afer. His status as a freedman in Roman society was notable, as he rose from slavery to become a respected literary figure within the Roman Republic.

### Literary Career and Patronage

Terence's career flourished under the patronage of prominent Roman nobles, most notably Scipio Aemilianus (Scipio Africanus the Younger) and Gaius Laelius. These patrons belonged to the Roman elite and were known for their appreciation of Greek culture. Terence's connection to these powerful figures provided him with the social standing and financial support necessary to pursue his literary career. His relationship with Scipio Aemilianus was particularly significant, as this patron was one of the most influential Romans of his generation.

### The Six Comedies

Terence authored six complete comedies, all of which survive to the present day:

**Andria** (The Girl from Andros) was Terence's first play, performed in 166 BCE. It was adapted from Menander's Andria and introduced Roman audiences to Greek New Comedy. The play deals with themes of romantic love and family conflict.

**Hecyra** (The Mother-in-Law), performed in 165 BCE, is notable for its initial failure—the audience reportedly left during the performance to watch boxers and tightrope walkers. However, it was later revived and achieved success. The play explores marital conflicts and family relationships.

**Heauton Timorumenos** (The Self-Tormentor), performed in 163 BCE, focuses on a father who punishes himself for being too harsh with his son. The play examines themes of parental authority and reconciliation.

**Eunuchus** (The Eunuch), performed in 161 BCE, was Terence's most popular play during his lifetime. It features a complex plot involving mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and a comedic eunuch character. The play's success was such that Terence was accused of borrowing too heavily from another Greek playwright.

**Phormio** was also performed in 161 BCE and adapted from Apollodorus of Carystus. It involves a clever scheme to marry a young man to his beloved, with a clever slave orchestrating the plot.

**Adelphoe** (The Brothers) was Terence's final play, performed in 160 BCE, shortly before his death. It was adapted from Menander's Dis Exapaton and deals with different approaches to raising sons—one strict and one lenient.

### Dramatic Style and Literary Significance

Terence's dramatic style distinguished him from his predecessor Plautus. While Plautus wrote farcical, populist comedies with wordplay and musical elements, Terence's works were more refined, literary, and psychologically nuanced. His Latin was considered more elegant and pure, setting a standard for subsequent Roman literature. Terence placed greater emphasis on character development and realistic dialogue, moving away from the broader comedy of earlier Roman playwrights.

### Death and Legacy

Terence died in 159 BCE, reportedly while traveling to Greece. Ancient sources suggest he may have died young, though the exact circumstances are unclear. His death occurred shortly after the performance of his final play, Adelphoe. Despite his relatively short career, Terence left a lasting legacy. His plays were preserved, performed, and studied throughout antiquity and the medieval period. They became standard texts in Roman education and remained influential throughout the Renaissance. Today, Terence's works remain important primary sources for understanding Roman comedy, Greek New Comedy, and 2nd-century BCE Roman culture.

### Influence on Later Literature

Terence's influence extended well beyond antiquity. His plays were continuously read, performed, and adapted throughout European literary history. Medieval scholars studied his works as examples of classical Latin style. Renaissance humanists celebrated Terence as a model of elegant prose. His comedies influenced the development of European comedy and contributed to the transmission of Greek theatrical traditions that might otherwise have been lost.

## References

1. Dictionary of African Biography
2. Integrated Authority File
3. LIBRIS. 2012
4. Czech National Authority Database
5. Library of the World's Best Literature
6. International Standard Name Identifier
7. BnF authorities
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. CiNii Research
10. MusicBrainz
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
12. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Terentius%20Afer%20Publius)
13. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index15.html)
14. CONOR.SI
15. Autoritats UB
16. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
17. Quora
18. FactGrid
19. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
20. CollectieGelderland
21. HMML Authority File
22. performing-arts.ch
23. Digital Scriptorium Catalog