Adelphi

play by Terence

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July 23, 2026

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Adelphi, or The Brothers, is one of six verse comedies written by the Roman comic dramatist Terence around 160 BCE. Terence's plays are known for their pure Latin and served as models for the modern comedy of manners.1

Adelphi explores the contrasting parenting styles of two brothers, Demea and Micio. Demea favors a strict, disciplinary approach, while Micio prefers a more lenient, permissive style. The play humorously depicts the consequences of these different methods as they raise their respective sons. Terence adapted Adelphi from Greek sources, incorporating elements from other plays to create his unique narrative. His characters are noted for their realistic portrayal rather than being mere comic caricatures.12

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comedy
Old and New Comedy in ancient Greece
…an indulgent parent (in the Adelphi of Terence). But the satiric quality of these plays is bland by comparison with the trenchant ridicule of Old Comedy. The emphasis in New Comic plotting is on the conduct of a love intrigue; the love element per se is often of the slightest,…
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…an indulgent parent (in the Adelphi of Terence). But the satiric quality of these plays is bland by comparison with the trenchant ridicule of Old Comedy. The emphasis in New Comic plotting is on the conduct of a love intrigue; the love element per se is often of the slightest,…
Read More

Terence
In the Adelphi, he added an exciting scene from a play by Diphilus, a contemporary of Menander. Such conservative writers as Luscius objected to the freedom with which Terence used his models.
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In the Adelphi, he added an exciting scene from a play by Diphilus, a contemporary of Menander. Such conservative writers as Luscius objected to the freedom with which Terence used his models.
Read More