Plautus
Latin · Drama · Comedy
20 works · 87,504 aligned sentences
Birth: 250 BC / Death: 184 BC
Sarsina → Rome · comedy writer · playwright · writer
Amphitruo
This work is a masterpiece of Roman comedy (tragicomedy) based on Greek mythology. Set in Thebes, the supreme god Jupiter disguises himself as the general Amphitryon, who is away at war, to visit his faithful wife Alcumena, while his messenger Mercury disguises himself as the slave Sosia to assist in his master's love affair. When the real Sosia and Amphitryon return home, they are confronted by their identical doubles, leading to a hilarious crisis of identity and a fierce marital dispute over suspected infidelity. The play vividly depicts the chaotic misunderstandings and confusion of mortal human beings manipulated by the whims of the gods. In the climax, Alcumena gives birth to twins, one of whom displays miraculous divine strength by slaying serpents. Finally, Jupiter himself appears to reveal the truth and reconcile with Amphitryon, bringing the dramatic complications to a peaceful and grand resolution.
Drama19 chunks · §1-74–§1084-11464,373 aligned sentencesRead →Asinaria
This work is a bustling ancient Roman comedy centered on a son in need of funds to secure his beloved courtesan, a father eager to support his son's romance, and their clever slaves. The elderly father, Demaenetus, commands his slaves Libanus and Leonida to procure the necessary money to aid his son Argyrippus. Through a bold scheme involving an impersonation of the household steward, the slaves successfully swindle a merchant out of twenty minae, which was meant for the sale of some asses. After playfully tormenting their young master by reversing their social roles, the slaves hand over the money on the condition that the father may join the son and the courtesan at their banquet. However, the situation takes a chaotic turn when Argyrippus's rival, Diabolus, exposes the father's debauchery to his fierce wife, Artemona. The play culminates in a hilarious climax as the furious wife invades the banquet and drags her husband home.
Drama15 chunks · §1-73–§888-9473,540 aligned sentencesRead →Aulularia
This ancient Roman comedy depicts the frantic turmoil of Euclio, a greedy and paranoid old man, surrounding a pot of gold hidden in his house. Terrified that someone will steal his wealth, the pathologically stingy Euclio lives in constant suspicion of everyone around him. When his wealthy neighbor, Megadorus, proposes to marry Euclio's daughter, the suspicious old man mistakes the cooks hired for the wedding preparations for thieves, falling into utter panic. After Euclio attempts to hide the gold in a temple, the treasure is stolen by the slave of Lyconides, a young man who has made Euclio's daughter pregnant. The play reaches its comedic peak as a dialogue of mutual misunderstanding unfolds between the despondent Euclio, who laments his lost gold, and Lyconides, who tries to confess his transgressions regarding the daughter.
Drama13 chunks · §1-72–§779-834_frg53,392 aligned sentencesRead →Bacchides
This Roman comedy centers on the love affairs of two young men and the brilliant schemes of a clever slave, revolving around two courtesan sisters both named Bacchis. The youths, Pistoclerus and Mnesilochus, fall in love with the respective sisters, but they desperately need money to secure their love. To help them, Mnesilochus's cunning slave, Chrysalus, takes charge and devises elaborate schemes to trick Mnesilochus’s strict father, Nicobulus, out of his wealth. Although a misunderstanding temporarily ruins the plan, Chrysalus proudly orchestrates another grand deception, comparing his intellectual triumph to the conquest of Troy. In the end, the outraged fathers discover the deceit and storm the sisters' house, only to succumb to the courtesans' charms themselves. The play concludes with a humorous and ironic banquet where the fathers forgive their sons and join the revelry.
Drama19 chunks · §1-69–§1162-12115,129 aligned sentencesRead →Captivi
This Latin comedy explores the themes of father-son reunions and the unwavering loyalty between a master and his slave. Set in Aetolia, the story centers on the wealthy old man Hegio, who purchases prisoners of war in hopes of exchanging them for his own captured son. Among his purchases are the noble Philocrates and his slave Tyndarus, who cunningly swap their identities to allow the master to return home and negotiate. When Hegio discovers the deception, he becomes furious and sentences Tyndarus to harsh labor in the stone quarries. However, the situation turns when Hegio's son is successfully returned, along with a runaway slave who had kidnapped Hegio's other infant son twenty years prior. Through this slave's confession, Tyndarus is revealed to be Hegio's long-lost son, leading to a dramatic reunion and a happy ending that celebrates moral virtue.
Drama17 chunks · §1-74–§980b-10363,744 aligned sentencesRead →Casina
This work is a slapstick comedy about Casina, an abandoned young girl, over whom a lustful old master, Lysidamus, and his son contend for marriage through their respective proxy slaves. Having detected her husband's infidelity and conspiracy, the clever wife Cleostrata colludes with her neighbors and female slaves to plot revenge against him. The story progresses through a lottery to determine ownership of Casina and mutual deception involving the neighboring household, leading to a ludicrous wedding ceremony. Lysidamus and his accomplice are thoroughly toyed with and severely beaten in the dark by a male slave disguised as Casina, fleeing in utter disgrace. In the end, all the misdeeds are exposed, the old man apologizes and is forgiven by his wife, and the play concludes happily with the revelation of Casina's free citizenship and her promised marriage to the son.
Drama14 chunks · §1-80–§942-10184,018 aligned sentencesRead →Cistellaria
This ancient Roman comedy depicts the turbulent love of a young couple threatened by the secret of the heroine's birth and its ultimate happy resolution. Set in the Greek city of Sicyon, the story begins with Selenium, a young girl raised by a courtesan, and her lover Alcesimarchus, who is tormented by his father's demand that he marry a wealthy relative. As Selenium despairs over his apparent betrayal, Alcesimarchus falls into a state of emotional frenzy, attempting extreme measures to reclaim his love. The turning point arrives with the discovery of a small casket (cistellaria) containing the trinkets left with Selenium when she was abandoned as an infant. Through this casket, her true identity as the daughter of freeborn citizens is revealed, clearing the path for the lovers to be legitimately wed and bringing the drama to a joyful conclusion.
Drama10 chunks · §1-62–§725-7872,511 aligned sentencesRead →Curculio
This play is a lighthearted Roman comedy by Plautus, centering on the young Phaedromus who struggles to free his beloved slave girl, Planesium. Facing a severe lack of funds, Phaedromus is aided by his parasitic client, Curculio, who returns from a journey having stolen a signet ring from the soldier Therapontigonus. Disguising himself as the soldier's messenger, Curculio uses the ring and a forged letter to dupe both a banker and a pimp, successfully securing Planesium's release. However, chaos ensues when the enraged soldier arrives, realizing he has been swindled. Ultimately, the origin of the ring reveals that Planesium is actually the soldier's long-lost sister, leading to a joyful reunion, the approval of her marriage to Phaedromus, and a happy resolution.
Drama11 chunks · §1-75–§670-7293,531 aligned sentencesRead →Epidicus
This work is a Roman comedy focusing on a series of elaborate deceptions and family secrets. Set in Athens, the story follows the clever slave Epidicus as he strives to resolve the financial and romantic troubles of his young master, Stratippocles, who has returned from war with a new lover and heavy debts. To secure the necessary funds, Epidicus devises a cunning scheme to swindle the young master's strict father, Periphanes, by manipulating his fears and desires. However, his intricate web of lies begins to unravel when a soldier exposes a hired girl's true identity, and the arrival of a woman from the father's past threatens to ruin Epidicus completely. Just as he faces severe punishment, Epidicus discovers that the captive girl purchased by the moneylender is actually Periphanes' long-lost daughter. This unexpected revelation solves the young master's romantic dilemma, and the grateful father rewards the clever slave with his freedom.
Drama12 chunks · §1-60–§678-7333,559 aligned sentencesRead →Menaechmi
This comedy depicts the confusion and chaos caused by identical twin brothers who were separated in childhood. Set in the city of Epidamnus, the story unfolds when Menaechmus of Syracuse arrives in search of his long-lost twin brother of the same name, who was kidnapped years ago and now lives in the city. Throughout the play, the townsfolk—including the brother's mistress, his parasite, and his suspicious wife—consistently mistake the traveling brother for the local one, leading to unexpected hospitality and baffling accusations. Meanwhile, the local Menaechmus finds himself locked out of his home, accused of theft, and even treated as a madman due to his brother's actions. The confusion reaches its peak until the clever slave Messenio manages to bring the two brothers face-to-face. Upon clarifying their identities, the brothers share a dramatic reunion and decide to auction off all their assets in Epidamnus to return home to Syracuse together.
Drama18 chunks · §1-82–§1101-11624,705 aligned sentencesRead →Mercator
This ancient Roman comedy depicts the chaotic conflict between the young merchant Charinus and his elderly father, Demipho, over a beautiful enslaved woman. Returning from a trading voyage, Charinus brings back Pasicompsa, a beautiful girl he purchased abroad, but desperately tries to hide her from his father. However, Demipho spots her by chance and instantly falls in love with her, leading both father and son to scheme against each other to claim her under various pretexts. Demipho enlists the help of his neighbor to harbor her, which soon sparks a series of domestic misunderstandings and accusations of infidelity in the neighbor's household. Believing he has lost his lover forever, a despairing Charinus prepares to leave the country, but his friend discovers her location just in time. In the end, Demipho admits his foolishness, reconciles with his son, and the play concludes happily with a declaration securing the romantic rights of the youth.
Drama16 chunks · §1-79_80–§970-10264,780 aligned sentencesRead →Miles Gloriosus
This celebrated Roman comedy by Plautus features the incredibly boastful and arrogant soldier, Pyrgopolynices, who has abducted the beautiful Philocomasium. Her true lover, Pleusicles, seeks to rescue her with the help of the clever slave Palaestrio. Set in Ephesus, the plot unfolds around two adjacent houses: that of the soldier and that of a hospitable old neighbor, Periplectomenus. Palaestrio secretly connects the houses with a hole in the wall, allowing the lovers to meet, and masterfully deceives another suspicious slave by creating a fictional twin sister. Not stopping there, Palaestrio exploits the soldier's extreme vanity by orchestrating a fake courtship involving a courtesan posing as the neighbor's lovestruck wife. Blinded by his own self-importance, the soldier willingly releases Philocomasium, only to end up physically punished and humiliated as an intruder in the neighboring house, ultimately realizing his own foolishness.
Drama24 chunks · §1-76–§1378-14376,086 aligned sentencesRead →Mostellaria
This ancient Roman comedy revolves around a clever slave who spins a web of lies to deceive his master, who has unexpectedly returned home while his son was indulging in a wild, spendthrift lifestyle. Set in Athens, the plot begins with the young Philolaches wasting his father Theopropides' wealth with the help of the cunning slave Tranio, even borrowing money to buy the freedom of his beloved courtesan. When the father suddenly returns from abroad, panic ensues among the young revelers. To prevent him from entering the house, Tranio concocts a desperate lie, claiming the house is haunted by a ghost and must be avoided. As moneylenders and neighbors appear, Tranio is forced to pile lie upon lie, claiming that the borrowed money was used to purchase the neighbor's house. Ultimately, the elaborate schemes unravel, but through the mediation of a friend, both the son and the witty slave are forgiven, bringing the chaotic events to a peaceful and humorous resolution.
Drama18 chunks · §1-77–§1123-11815,612 aligned sentencesRead →Persa
This Roman comedy centers on Toxilus, a slave in love, who struggles to raise funds to purchase the freedom of his beloved courtesan, Lemniselene, from the greedy pimp Dordalus. With the financial help of his friend Sagaristio, Toxilus devises a clever plot to deceive the pimp. They disguise the daughter of a parasite, Saturio, as a captive Persian slave and sell her to Dordalus. Shortly after the sale is completed by Sagaristio playing the role of a Persian merchant, Saturio bursts in to reclaim his freeborn daughter, dragging the tricked pimp to court. Having successfully secured his lover's freedom and exposed the villain, Toxilus and his allies celebrate with a lively banquet, mercilessly mocking the defeated Dordalus as the play reaches its festive conclusion.
Drama14 chunks · §1-57–§801-8584,363 aligned sentencesRead →Poenulus
This Roman comedy by Plautus depicts the liberation of two kidnapped Carthaginian sisters and the romantic fulfillment of a young man who loves one of them. Set in Aetolia, Greece, the story follows Agorastocles, a young Carthaginian who was kidnapped in infancy, as he seeks to rescue his beloved Adelphasium from the greedy pimp Lycus. Assisted by his clever slave Milphio, Agorastocles hatches a plot to entrap the pimp and ruin him financially. The situation takes a dramatic turn with the arrival of Hanno, a Carthaginian searching for his lost daughters, who turns out to be Agorastocles' uncle. Through mutual recognition, Hanno discovers that the very courtesans held by the pimp are his long-lost daughters. In the end, the pimp is defeated and forced to yield, the sisters reclaim their freeborn status and reunite with their father, and Agorastocles' marriage is secured as the characters prepare to return to Carthage.
Drama22 chunks · §1-81–§1361-1422b5,586 aligned sentencesRead →Pseudolus
Pseudolus, a comedy by the Roman playwright Plautus, depicts the schemes of a clever slave striving to rescue his young master's lover. The young master, Calidorus, is driven to despair upon learning that his beloved courtesan, Phoenicium, is about to be sold to a Macedonian soldier. In response, his cunning slave, Pseudolus, devises a bold plan to snatch her from the ruthless pimp Ballio and swindle the necessary funds from Calidorus's strict father, Simo. Seizing a fortuitous opportunity, Pseudolus intercepts the soldier's real messenger, takes his letter of identification, and has an accomplice disguise himself as the messenger to trick Ballio into releasing the girl. When the real messenger arrives, Ballio and Simo realize they have been thoroughly duped. Ultimately, Pseudolus wins his bet, extracts the promised money from Simo, and, thoroughly drunk from celebrating his triumph, jovially invites his master's father to join him in a celebratory feast.
Drama21 chunks · §1-75b–§1272-13355,123 aligned sentencesRead →Rudens
"Rudens" (The Rope) is a Roman comedy that depicts the dramatic reunion of a long-lost family and the triumph of young love, set in motion by a violent shipwreck and a trunk retrieved from the sea. The play is set on the coast near Cyrene, where the temple of Venus stands next to the cottage of the elderly Daemones. Palaestra, a young woman stolen by the villainous pimp Labrax, survives the shipwreck along with her companion Ampelisca and washes ashore. While Labrax attempts to recapture them, Daemones and Trachalio, the slave of Palaestra's lover, intervene to protect the women at the sacred altar. The plot thickens when Gripus, a fisherman slave of Daemones, drags in a heavy trunk with a rope, from which the play takes its title, sparking a dispute over its ownership. Inside the trunk, they discover trinkets that identify Palaestra as Daemones' long-lost daughter. In the end, Palaestra is reunited with her father, granted her freedom to marry her lover, and the disputes are resolved as the characters share a celebratory feast and the slaves gain their freedom.
Drama22 chunks · §1-78–§1367-1423c5,873 aligned sentencesRead →Stichus
This Roman comedy centers on two virtuous sisters who remain faithful to their husbands during their long absence abroad. Set in Athens, the play begins as their father, Antipho, attempts to persuade them to divorce their impoverished husbands, though the daughters resolutely uphold their duty. The tension dissolves when the husbands return from their travels bearing immense wealth, leading to a reconciliation with their father-in-law. Meanwhile, the parasite Gelasimus desperately tries to secure an invitation to dinner from the returned brothers, only to be repeatedly and comically rejected, leaving him in despair. The focus of the story then shifts to the slaves, particularly Stichus and Sagarinus, who celebrate their masters' return with a private feast alongside their shared mistress, the maidservant Stephanium. The play concludes with the slaves engaging in a lively, music-filled celebration, inviting the audience to applaud.
Drama12 chunks · §1-72–§717-7753,000 aligned sentencesRead →Trinummus
This Roman comedy by Plautus explores the themes of friendship, loyalty, and family morality through a series of misunderstandings. In the absence of Charmides, who is abroad, his profligate son Lesbonicus squanders the family estate and puts their house up for sale. To protect a treasure hidden inside the house on behalf of his absent friend, Callicles secretly purchases it, enduring the false accusations of his peers. Meanwhile, the virtuous youth Lysiteles proposes to marry Lesbonicus's sister without a dowry, but the proud Lesbonicus insists on offering their last piece of land as a dowry. To provide a proper dowry from the hidden treasure without revealing its existence, Callicles and his friend Megaronides hire a 'three-penny' sycophant to pretend to bring money from Charmides. The plot thickens when Charmides unexpectedly returns home, unmasks the imposter, and discovers his friend's true loyalty, leading to a joyful resolution and double marriages.
Drama19 chunks · §1-70–§1137-1189b4,544 aligned sentencesRead →Truculentus
This Roman comedy humorously yet bitingly depicts the greedy courtesan Phronesium and the men who are ruined by her relentless schemes. Set in Athens, the play features the cunning Phronesium, her loyal maid, and the rough rustic slave Truculentus, after whom the play is named. The plot is set in motion when Phronesium devises a fake childbirth using another person's baby to deceive and extort money from a Babylonian soldier. A ruined young Athenian named Diniarchus, the blustering soldier, and a naive country youth are drawn into a fierce competition to win her favor, unaware of her deceit. Eventually, it is revealed that the baby used in the scheme is actually Diniarchus's own child born from a past transgression, leading him to agree to marriage, yet he remains unable to completely escape Phronesium's allure. In the end, Phronesium successfully manipulates all the men to strip them of their wealth, celebrating her cunning victory as the play concludes.
Drama16 chunks · §1-73–§916-9684,035 aligned sentencesRead →