NAEVIUS

ONE of the earliest of the Latin dramatists was Naevius, an Italian though probably not a Roman citizen. He made translations from the Greek, both of tragedy and comedy. At least two of his plays, however, were built upon historical events connected with Rome. Plays of this sort, with the theme taken from Roman history but composed in Greek form, were called praetextae or togatae, in distinction to the palliatae, which were Greek plots translated or freely adapted into Latin. Naevius considered himself, probably with some justice, a champion of the native modes of thought. His works continued to be popular for centuries after his death; but his voice was almost the only one lifted up on support of the native style and subjects. If, at that time, there had risen other poets bold enough to throw off the fast tightening bonds of Greek influence, perhaps Rome would have had a drama expressive of her own life. However, no such poet appeared.

Purchase Books on Roman Theatre

• The Ignoble Position of Roman Actors - A short study of the unfortunate position of actors in ancient Roman society.
• The Maxims of Horace - An overview of the Roman critic's rules for dramatic construction.
• Roman Tragedy - A brief overview of Roman tragic drama.
• What the Roman Play Was Like - A description of what it would have been like to attend a play in ancient Rome, plus an analysis of the decline of classic drama.