Publius Terentius Afer

Also known as: Afer / Terence · Family: Carthaginian · Role: comic playwright · First appears: Terence

Publius Terentius Afer was a native of Carthage and a slave in Rome to the senator Terentius Lucanus, who, impressed by his abilities and handsome person, gave him a liberal education in his youth and his freedom when he reached maturity. He lived in close familiarity with Scipio Africanus, Laelius, Furius, and Caius Delius, and was commonly said to have received assistance from Laelius and Scipio Africanus in his works. He also read The Andria before Caecilius; although meanly dressed and seated on a low stool at first, he was invited to the table after a few verses and completed the reading to his host’s delight.

Afranius placed him at the head of comic writers, while Cicero praised the purity of his Latin expression and Julius Caesar ranked him among poets of the highest order, comparing his honors with those of Menander. After he had given his comedies to the world, he withdrew from home and never returned. He was reportedly lost at sea on his return from Greece, though others said he died at Stymphalos or Leucadia during the consulship of Cn. Cornelius Dolabella and Marcus Fulvius Nobilior, worn out by severe illness and grief over lost baggage.

Relationship record

Life events

• Terentius Lucanus gave Publius Terentius Afer a liberal education and later his freedom.(Terence · 📍 Rome)
  • With: Terentius Lucanus
  • “the senator Terentius Lucanus, who, struck by his abilities and handsome person, gave him not only a liberal education in his youth, but his freedom when he arrived at years of maturity.”
• Publius Terentius Afer read The Andria before Caecilius, who then welcomed him at table.(Terence)
  • With: Caecilius
  • “But after reciting a few verses, he was invited to take his place at table, and, having supped with his host, went through the rest to his great delight.”
• Publius Terentius Afer withdrew from home and never returned.(Terence)
  • “he withdrew from home, to which he never returned.”
• Publius Terentius Afer reportedly died at Stymphalos after severe illness and grief over lost baggage.(Terence · 📍 Stymphalos)
  • “Others say that he died at Stymphalos, in Arcadia, or in Leucadia, during the consulship of Cn. Cornelius Dolabella and Marcus Fulvius Nobilior, worn out with a severe illness, and with grief and regret for the loss of his baggage”