About this episode

The episode explores the comedic elements of Plautine theater as characters navigate love and deception.

Will the clever slave Dexter (Palaestrio) succeed in outsmarting the self-absorbed, narcissistic, self-proclaimed war hero Major Blowhard (Pyrgopolynices), so that the mostly incompetent, lovable, lovelorn young man Nauticles (Pleusicles) can rescue the young girl he loves, Convivia (Philocomasium), from the Major's lecherous clutches in time, and spirit her back to Athens with possessions secured? Or, will it all fall apart due to a mere meddling monkey (Monkey) running along a rooftop, who gets spotted by dunderbrain Haplus (Sceledrus)? As the guys wrap up their first foray into Plautine comedy, tune in and find out. And, be sure to listen for the secret code word so you can win a free copy of the Berg & Parker translation of Plautus and Terence: Five Comedies, courtesy of Hackett, and thus grow your libaby. There's something for everyone!

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More episodes of Ad Navseam

• H.I. Marrou’s A History of Education in Antiquity, Part XXII (Ad Navseam, Episode 221) · May 28, 2026 · 1h 9m
• The Plautus Thickens: Miles Gloriosus, Part I (Ad Navseam, Episode 219) · May 12, 2026 · 1h 3m

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