Ancient Roman Drama

The earliest Roman drama probably evolved from jolly carnivals and
bawdy fertility rites performed on religious occasions. Its development was
influenced greatly by the traditions of Greek colonists living in southern Italy
and Sicily. The first documented Roman playwright was Lucius Livius
Andronicus (c. 280204 BC), a freed Greek slave who translated Greek works
into Latin. The first recorded production took place in 240 BC at the Roman
Games (Ludi Romani). Unlike their Greek predecessors Roman playwrights,
such as Ennius, Naevius, and Andronicus wrote and published non-dramatic
poetry. Few Roman tragedies survive, most of the plays seem to have been
adaptations of Greek originals, although Lucius Accius is thought to have
written some original works. Roman comedy derived from the Greek New
Comedy, with such authors as Plautus and Terence basing many of their
works directly on plays by Menander and others. Roman drama was
generally performed on festival days, together with gladiatorial contests,
circuses, and races, popular actors could be very highly paid, one of the most
successful being Roscius. Theatre buildings were originally wooden, and took
their design from Greek theatres. The first stone theatre was built in Rome in
55 BC.Theatre of ancient Rome refers to the time period of theatrical practice
and performance in Rome beginning in the 4th century B.C., following the
states transition from Monarchy to Republic Theater of the era is generally
separated into the genres of tragedy and comedy. Some works by Plautus,
Terence, and Seneca survive to this day.Rome was founded in 753 B.C.E as a
monarchy under Etruscan rule, and remained as such throughout the first
two and a half centuries of its existence. Following the expulsion of Rome's
last king, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus or "Tarquin the Proud," circa 509 B.C.E.,
Rome became a Republic, and was henceforth led by a group of magistrates
elected by the Roman people. It is believed that Roman theatre was born
during the first two centuries of the Roman Republic, following the spread of
Roman rule into a large area of the Italian peninsula, circa 364 B.C.E.(All
things theater of Ancient Rome, N.d)

The theatre flourished in ancient Rome for about 800 years, during
both the Republic and the Empire. It developed from village entertainments
such as the Atellana, and from Greek Drama.The earliest Roman drama
probably evolved from jolly carnivals and bawdy fertility rites performed on
religious occasions. Its development was influenced greatly by the traditions
of Greek colonists living in southern Italy and Sicily. The first documented
Roman playwright was Lucius Livius Andronicus (c. 280204 BC), a freed
Greek slave who translated Greek works into Latin. The first recorded
production took place in 240 BC at the Roman Games (Ludi Romani). Unlike
their Greek predecessors Roman playwrights, such as Ennius, Naevius, and
Andronicus wrote and published non-dramatic poetry.(Law, 2011)

Reference List
All things Theater of Ancient Rome (N.d) Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre_of_ancient_Rome

Jonathan Law, ed., (2011) Ancient Roman Drama. Retrieved from

http://www.dramaonlinelibrary.com/genres/ancient-roman-drama-iid-21412