post
Though incomplete works were found spreaded all across the Mediterranean, mostly though in translated form.
Also I find interesting that the common latinism: Alea Yacta Est, or The Die Is Cast, allegedly said by Julius Caesar before crossing the Rubicon was in reality quoting a Menander's play in greek which was instead "Let the die be cast".
So Menander was clearly a big big deal back then, yet it was mostly unknown to me. Thanks for sharing!
I wonder if we'd find his work funny today.
"A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To the Forum."
Modern writers took some old Roman comedies and turned them into a Broadway musical.
Are the characters are types you've seen a zillion times; the horny, henpecked husband; the shrill wife; the dopey love sick son; the silly young girl; the scheming businessman; the schnook assistant, and so on.
What about that was ironical?
The most popular writer being unknown is pretty ironical no?
Like rain on your wedding day
Unknown to us, like many other things in the past. Not unknown to his contemporaries, as you wrote.
I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic but no that’s not ironic.
all 19 comments