Titus Maccius Plautus, Casina

David M. Christenson (University of Arizona)

Ed. by William John Dominik, University of Otago
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.1.2: Ancient Roman Writing and Culture (Republic and Empire), -750-476.
Vol. editors: William John Dominik (University of Otago), Giacomo Fedeli (University of Exeter), Thomas Habinek (University of Southern California), Emily Kneebone (University of Nottingham), Elodie Paillard (University of Sydney), Sophia Papaioannou (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), Jula Wildberger (The American University of Paris)

Dates

First circulation or publication c. -186 - c. -184

Places

Ancient Rome (Republic & Empire) (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Comedy
Play

Resources

Casina is Plautus’ adaptation of Klerumenoi or “The Lot Drawers” by the Greek comic playwright Diphilus (b. 360-350 BCE?). Casina most probably belongs to the very last phase of Plautus’ career. A reference in the play to Bacchic rites no longer being practiced (980) suggests that its debut dates to sometime after the Roman senate’s emergency decree outlawing worship of the god Bacchus in 186 BCE, but before the death of Plautus in 184 BCE. In addition, the play shows mature musical virtuosity and masterful manipulation of the comic conventions and techniques of New Comedy.

Casina at first appears to be a typical New Comedy built around very familiar characters and situations. …

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1273 words

Citation: Christenson, David M.. "Casina". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 20 April 2009 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=21413, accessed 22 November 2024.]

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