Disquieting Guests’in mid-Republican Roman Drama: the characters of the togata

Abstract

The study of fragmentary texts, particularly those from antiquity, opens a fascinating window into the past, allowing us rich insights into the cultural, literary, and historical landscapes in which they were created. The togata”a lesser-known form of mid-Republican Roman drama”survives only in scattered remnants, yet these fragments pose intriguing questions that invite deeper inquiry. This contribution explores the wealth of information that can be drawn from such fragmentary texts, with a special focus on the portrayal of male and female characters. It also examines the interpretive possibilities these fragments offer, and the intellectual appeal of working with texts that have been severed from their original literary and historical contexts. By engaging with these elusive remnants, we gain not only a deeper understanding of the togata but also a broader appreciation of the challenges and rewards of reconstructing the past from scattered pieces.