Author Description

The first professional playwright in history, Plautus was the creator of racy, raucous, hilarious plays that will make modern audiences laugh as much as the first Romans did. The comedies printed here show him at his best, and Professor Segal's translations keep their fast, rollicking pace intact, making these the most readable and actable versions available. His introduction considers Plautus's place in ancient comedy, examines his continuing influence, and celebrates his power to entertain.