Terence, Phormio

Evangelos Karakasis

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: Anca Dan (École Practique de Hautes Études PSL), Martine Diepenbroek (University of Johannesburg), William John Dominik (University of Otago), Giacomo Fedeli (University of Exeter), Victoria Fendel (University of Oxford), Thomas Habinek (University of Southern California), Emily Kneebone (University of Nottingham), Elodie Paillard (University of Sydney), Sophia Papaioannou (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), Guendalina Daniela Maria Taietti (University of Liverpool), Jula Wildberger (American University of Paris)

Dates

First circulation or publication -161

Places

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

Genres and Modes

Comedy
Play

Resources

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Terence’s

Phormio

was originally produced during the Roman Games (

Ludi Romani

) of 161 BC and is the only Terentian play not entitled after its Greek model,

Epidicazomenos

(the Claimant) of Apollodorus from Carystos.

The plot

Demipho and Chremes, two well-to-do Athenians, make a journey to Cilicia and Lemnos respectively, entrusting the custody of their young sons, Antipho and Phaedria, to the slave Geta. During their fathers’ absence both young men fall in love: Antipho becomes infatuated with Phanium, a penniless orphan, whereas Phaedria falls for a music girl, owned by the pimp Dorio. Taking advantage of the epikleros law, Phormio, a parasite, helps Antipho by claiming that the latter is Phanium’s next of kin and thus, when brought to court, Antipho is obliged to marry

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2810 words

Citation: Karakasis, Evangelos. "Phormio". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 01 August 2011 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=13477, accessed 22 November 2024.]

Terence, Phormio

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