Plautus’Persa

Introduction and Commentary

By (author) Joseph Conlon Series edited by Bernhard Zimmermann

Book cover: Plautus’Persa

Extent: 214 pages

Publisher: Wiley-VCH

Subjects: Classical Studies, Literary Studies

Series: Studia Comica

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(October 2025)

ISBN: 9783911065368

6.34 x 9.25 inches

Price: $94.00

On back order

This commentary brings discussions of the Persa beyond the authorship and dating of the Greek original; rather, it focuses on Plautus’ innovations as a poet and dramatic artist, especially the staging of the play, the development of the characters, and the presentation of slaves and women.


This commentary on the Persa is the first full-length treatment of the play in English. The commentary, in addition to collecting comparanda, explaining difficult and corrupt passages, providing necessary cultural and historical context, etc., places particular emphasis on explaining Plautus’ language (especially alliteration, proverbs, etymology, the relationship between the colloquial and literary registers of Latin, word choice, and parallels with modern European languages), the staging of the drama, the development of the characters and their relationships, music, and the issues of slavery and gender. The goal throughout is to render the play more accessible to a wider audience of readers.

Joseph Conlon is Professor of Classics, Director of the Greek Program, and Dean of Graduate studies at Ralston College, USA. He specializes in language acquisition and pedagogy, and is also a translator of katharevousa literature.

  • By (author) Joseph Conlon
  • Series edited by Bernhard Zimmermann