Publius Terentius Afer

Black History Month Honoree 7
Posted on 02/09/2023
Image of Publius Terentius AferPublius Terentius Afer (c. 195/185 – c. 159? BC), better known in English as Terence, was a Roman African Playwright during the Roman Republic. He is widely considered to be the very first Black playwright. His comedies were performed for the first time around 166–160 BC. Terentius Lucanus, a Roman senator, brought Terence to Rome as a slave, educated him and, later on, impressed by his abilities, freed him. It is thought that Terence abruptly died, around the age of 25, likely in Greece or on his way back to Rome, due to shipwreck or disease. He was supposedly on his way to explore and find inspiration for his comedies. His plays were heavily used to learn to speak and write in Latin during the Middle Ages and Renaissance Period and, in some instances, were imitated by William Shakespeare.

Image of Publius Terentius Afer
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