Stichus

Stichus is a funny play written in Latin by the early Roman playwright Titus Maccius Plautus. This play was first performed in the year 200 BC. It was based on another play called Adelphoe by a writer named Menander. The story explores themes of family and friendship through humor, showing how Plautus used comedy to tell stories that people could enjoy and remember.

Plot

In Athens, two sisters named Panegyris and Pamphila are married to brothers who have been away at sea for over two years. Their father wants them to marry again because they have not heard from their husbands, but the sisters refuse.

A slave named Pinacium tells Panegyris that her husband has returned. Soon after, the husband arrives and asks for time off to celebrate. Not long later, the other husband also returns. The father asks for a slave from him, and they become friends again.

A funny part of the play is when a hungry man named Gelasimus tries to get invited to dinner but keeps getting turned down. The play ends with a celebration and a dance by a slave named Stichus and his friend. The story happens in front of three houses in Athens.

Metrical and dramatic structure

Further information: Metres of Roman comedy

The play Stichus uses a simple pattern of rhythms, or metres, in its scenes. It starts and ends with songs that mix many rhythms, which is different from most plays of that time.

The story is balanced and organized into five acts. In each act, only a few characters speak at a time, making the scenes easy to follow. The way the characters talk changes throughout the play, creating a nice rhythm for the story.

The plot in detail

Panegyris and Pamphila, two sisters, are upset because their husbands have been away for over two years. Their father, Antipho, wants them to remarry, but they wish to wait for their husbands to return.

A slave named Pinacium brings news that one of the husbands, Epignomus, has returned with many treasures. The other husband, Pamphilippus, is also said to have returned. The sisters are happy to hear this.

Epignomus and his slave Stichus arrive. Stichus is given a day off and plans to celebrate with a feast. Gelasimus, a friend, tries to join the celebration but is turned away. Later, Stichus and his friend Sangarinus prepare for a fun dinner together with Stephanium, another friend, and they dance and enjoy themselves.

Translations

There are translations of the play Stichus available in English. One translation was done by Henry Thomas Riley and can be found at Perseus here: Stichus. Another translation was made by Wolfang de Melo in 2013.