Naevius, Gnaeus

Extract

Gnaeus Naevius (c. 280/60–200 bce), dramatic and epic poet of Campanian birth (see campania). He saw military service during the First *Punic War and was perhaps attached to the Claudii Marcelli (see claudius marcellus entries). Naevius’ theatrical career began in around 235 and seems to have been over by 204. Many stories were told in antiquity of insulting remarks he made about men of the nobility from the stage or in other contexts. Plautus, Miles gloriosus210–12 was interpreted to refer to a spell by him in prison.Titles of about 34 plays in the style of Greek New Comedy (see comedy (greek), new) are transmitted (Acontizomenos, Agitatoria, Agrypnuntes, Appella, Ariolus, †Astiologa†, Carbonaria, Clamidaria, Colax, Commotria, Corollaria, Dementes, Demetrius, Dolus, Figulus, Glaucoma, Guminasticus, Lampadio, Leon, Nagido, †Nautae†, Neruolaria, Paelex, Personata, Proiectus, Quadrigemini, Stalagmus, Stigmatias, Tarentilla, Technicus, Testicularia, †Tribacelus†, Triphallus, Tunicularia).