289Choosing the Script to Translate: Roman Comic Playwrights and their Greek Models

This chapter explores the process by which Roman playwrights selected Greek comedies for translation and adaptation, focusing on the dominance of Menander as a model. While Roman translations of Greek plays were shaped by various factors, including textual availability and theatrical conventions, it was not until later periods that Menander’s primacy became firmly established. This study examines evidence from Latin authors, such as Plautus and Terence, and considers alternative Greek models, including Philemon and Diphilus. By analysing literary references and textual comparisons, the chapter sheds light on the dynamics of Roman appropriation of Greek comedy, revealing the complexities behind the selection and adaptation of scripts.