Lucius Afranius (poet)
Encyclopedia
Lucius Afranius was an ancient Roman
comic poet
, who lived at the beginning of the 1st century BC. His comedies described Roman scenes and manners (the genre
called comoediae togatae) and the subjects were mostly taken from the life of the lower classes (comoediae tabernariae). They were considered by some ancients to be frequently polluted with disgraceful amours, which, according to Quintilian
, were only a representation of the conduct of Afranius. He depicted, however, Roman life with such accuracy that he is classed with Menander
, from whom indeed he borrowed largely. He imitated the style of Gaius Titius, and his language is praised by Cicero
. His comedies are spoken of in the highest terms by the ancient writers, and under the empire
they not only continued to be read, but were even acted, of which an example occurs in the time of Nero
. They seem to have been well known even at the latter end of the 4th century. Afranius had written many comedies, as the names and fragments of between twenty and thirty are still preserved.
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
comic poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, who lived at the beginning of the 1st century BC. His comedies described Roman scenes and manners (the genre
Genre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
called comoediae togatae) and the subjects were mostly taken from the life of the lower classes (comoediae tabernariae). They were considered by some ancients to be frequently polluted with disgraceful amours, which, according to Quintilian
Quintilian
Marcus Fabius Quintilianus was a Roman rhetorician from Hispania, widely referred to in medieval schools of rhetoric and in Renaissance writing...
, were only a representation of the conduct of Afranius. He depicted, however, Roman life with such accuracy that he is classed with Menander
Menander
Menander , Greek dramatist, the best-known representative of Athenian New Comedy, was the son of well-to-do parents; his father Diopeithes is identified by some with the Athenian general and governor of the Thracian Chersonese known from the speech of Demosthenes De Chersoneso...
, from whom indeed he borrowed largely. He imitated the style of Gaius Titius, and his language is praised by Cicero
Cicero
Marcus Tullius Cicero , was a Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the equestrian order, and is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.He introduced the Romans to the chief...
. His comedies are spoken of in the highest terms by the ancient writers, and under the empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
they not only continued to be read, but were even acted, of which an example occurs in the time of Nero
Nero
Nero , was Roman Emperor from 54 to 68, and the last in the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Nero was adopted by his great-uncle Claudius to become his heir and successor, and succeeded to the throne in 54 following Claudius' death....
. They seem to have been well known even at the latter end of the 4th century. Afranius had written many comedies, as the names and fragments of between twenty and thirty are still preserved.