Menander of Athens
The foremost playwright of Greek New Comedy, Menander pioneered realistic portrayals of domestic life and everyday characters. His influence on Roman comedy and later European theater was enormous. Most of his work was lost until papyrus discoveries in the 20th century.
Works
- DyskolosSatyr play about a crusty old man learning to love and forgive
- SamiaComedy of mistaken identity involving a foundling and inheritance
- The ArbitrationComedy of two rivals submitting a dispute to arbitration
- The Girl from SamosNew Comedy play of love and recognition among Samian characters
- PerikeiromeneComedy of a shorn woman and romantic complications and reconciliation
- The ShieldComedy of inheritance and identity revealed through a magic shield