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The Captives

Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BCE - 184 BCE)
Translated by Henry Thomas Riley (1816 - 1878)

Though with some of Plautus's usual comic elements (including people in disguise, clever servant, etc), this is a rare serious play by him looking at slavery and prisoners of war among the various Greek states.

From the Prologue: "Really, it will be worth your while to give your attention to this play.... Don't you be afraid because I've said that there's war between the Aetolians and the Eleans. There (pointing), at a distance, beyond the scenes, the battles will be fought. For this were almost impossible for a Comic establishment, that we should at a moment attempt to be acting tragedy."
- Summary by ToddHW

Cast list:
Hegio, an Aetolian, father of Philopolemus: Beeswaxcandle
Philocrates, an Elean, captive in Aetolia: Alan Mapstone
Tyndarus, his servant: Larry Wilson
Aristophontes, an Elean, captive in Aetolia: Adrian Stephens
Philopolemus, an Aetolian, captive in Elis: Inkell
Ergasilus, a Parasite: Greg Giordano
Stalagmus, the servant of Hegio: Adrian Stephens
A Slave of Hegio: Sonia
A Lad, the same: David Purdy
Stage Directions and Editing: ToddHW

Genre(s): Plays

Language: English