Editing Lucius Afranius (poet) (section)

==Life==
Afranius' comedies described Roman scenes and manners (the genre called ''comoediae togatae'') and the subjects were mostly taken from the life of the lower classes (''comoediae tabernariae'').{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}<ref name="Manuwald2011">{{cite book|author=Gesine Manuwald|title=Roman Republican Theatre|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X-ug5st1b_8C&pg=PA263|date=9 June 2011|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-139-49974-3|pages=263–}}</ref> They were considered by some ancients to be frequently polluted with disgraceful amours, which, according to [[Quintilian]], were only a representation of the conduct of Afranius.<ref>[[Quintilian]], x. 1. § 100</ref> He depicted, however, Roman life with such accuracy that he is classed with [[Menander]], from whom indeed he borrowed largely.<ref>[[Horace]], ''[[Epodes (Horace)|Epodes]]'' ii.1.57</ref><ref>[[Macrobius]], ''Saturnalia'' vi.1</ref><ref>[[Cicero]], ''De Finibus Bonorum et Malorum'' i.3</ref> He imitated the style of [[Gaius Titius]], and his language is praised by [[Cicero]].<ref>[[Cicero]], ''[[Brutus (Cicero)|Brutus]]'' 45</ref> His comedies are spoken of in the highest terms by the ancient writers, and under the [[Roman Empire|Empire]] they not only continued to be read, but were even acted, of which an example occurs in the time of [[Nero]].<ref>[[Marcus Velleius Paterculus|Velleius Paterculus]], i.17, ii.9</ref><ref>[[Aulus Gellius|Gellius]], xiii.8</ref><ref>[[Suetonius]], ''[[Nero]]'' 11</ref> They seem to have been well known even at the latter end of the 4th century AD.<ref>[[Ausonius]], ''Epigr''. 71</ref>