Terence’s Eunuchus

Terence (c. 195 – c. 159? BC), translated by Kelk, Christopher (contributor-contact-email)

Terence’s Eunuchus, based on a work by Menander, was his most successful play during his lifetime. In this complex story of rape and reconciliation Thais, a courtesan, manipulates two lovers: Thraso, an army officer, and Phaedria, a wealthy neighbour. She convinces Phaedria to temporarily leave for the country in order to obtain a young slave girl, Pamphila, from Thraso. Pamphila, originally from Athens, is Thais’s quasi-sibling. Phaedria leaves gifts of two slaves for Thais — a girl and a eunuch - with his slave Parmeno. Chaerea, Phaedria’s brother, falls for Pamphila and infiltrates Thais’s house, posing as the eunuch. While Thais is absent, Chaerea rapes Pamphila - fleeing in shame when discovered by Pythias, Thais’s maid. Upon Phaedria’s return, chaos ensues. Ultimately, Chaerea marries Pamphila, reconciling with her Athenian family, while Phaedria and Thais make amends. Thraso and Phaedria agree to share Thais. The play was notably successful, staged twice in one day and earning Terence 8,000 sesterces.

Author Details

Terence, formally Publius Terentius Afer, was a playwright of the Roman Republic, thought to have been born between 195 and 185BC. His exact birthplace is uncertain, with suggestions ranging from Carthage to Greek Italy. His cognomen ‘Afer’ points to African origins, potentially from the region around Carthage.

Initially a slave to the Roman senator P. Terentius Lucanus, Terence was educated by him and, upon demonstrating his talent, was later emancipated. Adopting his patron’s nomen, Terence became a prominent figure in Roman drama.

His extant literary output consists of six comedies, first performed between 166 and 160BC. These plays, central to the study of Latin in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, influenced later playwrights including Shakespeare. Noted for their refined language and complex characters, his works reflect a humanistic perspective, as shown in his famous line from “Heauton Timorumenos”: “I am human, and think nothing human alien to me.”

Terence travelled to Greece when he was 25 or so, likely in search of inspiration. The circumstances of his death, thought to have occurred circa 159BC during this period, remain unclear, with speculation suggesting disease or a shipwreck. No further plays of his were published after this voyage.

A member of the Scipionic Circle, Terence left behind a daughter married to a Roman knight. His surviving comedies, are celebrated for their literary quality and humanistic insights, and as intriguing examples of the early drama.

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Kelk, Christopher

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