Terence
Latin · Drama · Comedy
6 works · 31,884 aligned sentences
Birth: 185 BC / Death: 159 BC
Carthage → Lake Stymphalia · comedy writer · poet · writer
Adelphoe
This Roman comedy depicts the conflict and reconciliation between two fathers with contrasting educational philosophies and the two brothers they raised. Demea, a strict father, has raised his son Ctesipho strictly in the countryside, while his brother Micio has raised his nephew Aeschinus indulgently in the city. The plot begins when Aeschinus forcefully abducts a music-girl for the sake of his brother Ctesipho, who is secretly in love with her. This reckless act causes widespread misunderstandings and outrages Demea, especially when it is revealed that the seemingly virtuous Ctesipho is also involved in the debauchery. Ultimately, the misunderstandings are resolved, and Aeschinus is allowed to marry his pregnant sweetheart. Reflecting on his own harshness, Demea suddenly adopts an excessively generous persona, mockingly exposing Micio's laxity, and concludes the play by showing the true balance of love and guidance.
Drama18 chunks · §cast-subject_1–§945c-999c5,485 aligned sentencesRead →Andria
This ancient Roman comedy depicts the forbidden love between the Athenian youth Pamphilus and Glycerium, a woman of unknown origin from the island of Andros, and the chaotic complications surrounding an arranged marriage. Set in Athens, the dialogue-driven play features a cast that includes Pamphilus's strict father Simo, the clever slave Davus, and Pamphilus's friend Charinus. To test his son's loyalty, Simo plans a fake wedding with Chremes's daughter, but Davus's counter-schemes backfire, throwing everyone into a whirlwind of misunderstandings and escalating confusion. Amidst Glycerium's childbirth and a series of deceptions involving the newborn, the situation nears a disastrous peak. However, the sudden arrival of Crito, a traveler from Andros, changes everything by revealing Glycerium's true parentage. Once she is proven to be Chremes's long-lost Athenian daughter, the lovers' marriage is officially sanctioned, and the play concludes with a happy resolution for all.
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This Roman comedy by Terence, set in Athens, revolves around the chaotic romantic pursuits of two brothers and a daring disguise. The elder brother, Phaedria, agrees to temporarily withdraw from his beloved courtesan, Thais, and sends her a eunuch as a gift. Meanwhile, his younger brother, Chaerea, falls instantly in love with a beautiful girl entering Thais's house and decides to infiltrate the residence by disguising himself as the very eunuch. This audacious scheme leads to an assault, sparking a series of complications, including a comical military standoff with the boastful soldier Thraso, who seeks to reclaim the girl, and a frantic web of lies involving the slave Parmeno. Ultimately, the girl's true identity as a free citizen is revealed, paving the way for her marriage to Chaerea, while Phaedria also achieves a favorable compromise, bringing the lively drama to a happy resolution.
Drama20 chunks · §cast-subject_2–§1040-1093b6,027 aligned sentencesRead →Heauton Timorumenos
This classical comedy depicts the human drama surrounding Menedemus, an elderly father who inflicts harsh physical labor upon himself out of remorse for driving his son away through his severity. His well-meaning neighbor, Chremes, attempts to intervene, unaware that Menedemus's son, Clinia, has secretly returned and is staying with Chremes's own son, Clitipho. Clitipho is also entangled in his own troubles, struggling to fund his relationship with the extravagant courtesan Bacchis, leading the clever slave Syrus to devise a series of complex schemes. As the plot unfolds, it is discovered that Clinia's lover, Antiphila, is actually Chremes's long-lost daughter, and Chremes realizes that he himself has been the dupe of his own slave's trickery. Ultimately, all deceptions are unraveled, and a reconciliation is achieved as Clitipho agrees to reform and marry, restoring peace to both households.
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This Roman comedy depicts the misunderstandings surrounding a young couple's marriage and the resulting conflicts among their families. The young man Pamphilus marries Philumena while still harboring feelings for his former mistress, the courtesan Bacchis, but during his absence abroad, his wife returns to her parents' home, leading everyone to suspect a feud with her mother-in-law, Sostrata. Upon his return, Pamphilus discovers a shocking secret: his wife is about to give birth to a child conceived from a sexual assault by an unknown man before their wedding. Torn between love for his wife and filial duty, Pamphilus refuses to take her back, leading his father and father-in-law to mistakenly believe he is still obsessed with Bacchis. To clear her name, Bacchis is summoned, and through a ring she possesses, it is revealed that the unknown assailant was none other than Pamphilus himself. With the truth uncovered and kept as a private secret, the couple happily reunites, resolving all misunderstandings.
Drama17 chunks · §cast-subject_1–§827-880b3,495 aligned sentencesRead →Phormio
This ancient Roman comedy, set in Athens, depicts the complex romantic and marital entanglements of two young men. While their strict fathers are away on a journey, Antipho marries a poor orphan girl, and Phaedria falls in love with a harp-player. Upon the fathers' return, they are furious at these unauthorized relationships, prompting the witty parasite Phormio to step in and devise clever schemes to swindle money from them to help the youths. The plot takes an unexpected turn when it is revealed that Antipho's new wife is actually the secret daughter of Chremes, one of the fathers. Weaponizing this secret, Phormio exposes Chremes's bigamy to his wife, forcing the fathers into submission and ultimately securing happy resolutions for both young couples.
Drama20 chunks · §cast-subject_1–§1001b-1055c4,750 aligned sentencesRead →