Terence's Andrian, a comedy, in five acts

In Short

Terence’s classic five-act Latin comedy follows Pamphilus, a young Athenian whose father, Simo, attempts to force him into an arranged marriage with the daughter of his friend Chremes. Pamphilus, however, is secretly devoted to Glycera, a seemingly poor foreign woman from Andros who is expecting his child. Driven by the elaborate schemes of the clever slave Davus, the plot devolves into a tangle of deceptions, false promises, and misunderstandings. Through a sudden discovery regarding Glycera's true origin, the obstacles vanish, proving how standard Roman comic tropes can yield a surprisingly human look at family obligations.

The Story

The drama opens in Athens, where the elderly father Simo reveals his deep anxieties regarding his son, Pamphilus. Although Pamphilus previously led a modest and respectable life, his devotion to Glycera—a young woman from the island of Andros—has put his future in jeopardy. Simo has arranged a wedding between Pamphilus and Philumena, the daughter of his wealthy friend Chremes. However, Chremes hears rumors of Pamphilus's romance and revokes his consent. Unaware of this cancellation, Simo decides to proceed with a fake wedding plan to test his son's obedience and catch him in an open lie.

Simo warns his scheming slave, Davus, not to interfere or attempt any tricks to impede the marriage, threatening him with severe imprisonment and hard labor in the grinding-house. Davus soon discovers that the wedding preparations are a complete sham. Meanwhile, Pamphilus is tormented; he has promised eternal fidelity to Glycera, who is currently in labor with his child, while his friend Charinus is desperately in love with Philumena and begs Pamphilus not to marry her.

To outsmart Simo, Davus advises Pamphilus to agree to the marriage, reasoning that Simo will be caught off guard when no bride appears. The plan backfires when Simo unexpectedly manages to persuade Chremes to give his consent once again, making the marriage real. Panicked, Davus must construct a new ruse to stop the wedding. When Glycera gives birth to a boy, Davus instructs her servant Mysis to lay the newborn directly on Simo’s doorstep. When Chremes arrives, he witnesses Mysis and Davus arguing over the baby and learns that Pamphilus has formally acknowledged the infant as his own. Outraged by this scandal, Chremes cancels the marriage once more.

Enraged by the disruption, Simo orders Davus to be bound in chains and dragged off to prison. The crisis resolves when Crito, a stranger from Andros, arrives to claim the estate of Glycera's deceased relative. Crito reveals that Glycera is not an islander by birth; she was shipwrecked as a small child and adopted. Chremes realizes that she is actually his own long-lost daughter, Pasibula, who was thought to be lost at sea. With Glycera's true birthright and citizenship established, Simo releases Davus, Pamphilus receives permission to marry his true love, and Charinus is free to wed Chremes's remaining daughter.

How It Unfolds

The trap is prepared Simo reveals his plan to arrange a deceptive wedding to test his son's fidelity and warns his sharp-witted slave Davus against plotting any interference under penalty of life in the grinding-house.

The deceit falters Davus figures out that the initial wedding preparations are fake and urges Pamphilus to grant compliance to his father, only for Simo to unexpectedly convince Chremes to allow the wedding after all.

The birth at the threshold To break the newly restored marriage agreement, Davus has Glycera's servant place Pamphilus's newborn child on Simo’s doorstep, ensuring that Chremes overhears the baby's parentage and revokes his consent in disgust.

The unexpected arrival Simo orders Davus bound in chains for his interference, but the arrival of Crito from Andros brings the truth about Glycera’s origins to light, confirming she is Chremes's long-lost Athenian daughter.

The joyful resolution With Glycera's noble lineage established, Pamphilus receives his father's blessing to marry her, Davus is set free, and Charinus is granted permission to marry Chremes's other daughter.

The People

• Simo: An anxious Athenian father who wants to guide his son toward a respectable life. He uses a fake wedding to test his son's loyalty, but his strict nature leaves him vulnerable to being outwitted by his own slave.
• Pamphilus: Simo’s young son, caught between his filial duty to his father and his solemn vow of love to Glycera. He desperately seeks a way to stay faithful to his child and mistress without defying his family.
• Davus: Simo’s clever and resourceful slave. He continuously risks severe beatings and imprisonment to concoct elaborate schemes that protect Pamphilus from an unwanted marriage.
• Chremes: Simo's wealthy neighbor and friend. He fluctuates between granting and withholding permission for his daughter to marry into Simo's household as new scandals emerge.
• Mysis: Glycera’s loyal servant maid who protects her mistress’s interests and hesitantly assists Davus in his schemes to display the infant.

In Its Own Voice

“No. I am not Œdipus, but Davus.”

Davus defends his ignorance to his master Simo, dryly pointing out that he is a simple slave rather than a legendary riddle-solver when asked to decipher complex motives.

“In these times flattery makes friends; truth, foes.”

Simo reflects on the state of societal interactions, observing how honesty frequently causes conflict while superficial pleasing gains easy favor.

“Is there no reliance to be placed in any thing in this world?”

Mysis laments the hardship and uncertainty surrounding her mistress Glycera while reflecting on the heavy troubles brought upon them by romantic promises.

What It's Really About

Beneath its comedic misunderstandings and frantic plotting, the play explores the tension between parental authority and personal affection. It examines the social expectations placed on young men in classical society, contrasting strict Roman ideas of duty, citizenship, and arranged marriage against genuine romantic devotion. The play also explores the dynamics of power within the household, demonstrating how a clever slave like Davus can manipulate his masters despite his subordinate status. Ultimately, the work asks whether social harmony can be achieved through control, showing instead that understanding and unexpected truth are required to reconcile family conflicts.

Why Read It Today

Terence’s Andrian offers readers an engaging glimpse into the foundational architecture of Western stage comedy. While modern readers must navigate the formal conventions of ancient Roman theater and the historical realities of patriarchal authority and slavery, the play's pace remains lively and accessible. The translation renders Terence’s verse into clear prose, supported by detailed historical notes that clarify classical customs, Athenian citizenship laws, and ancient theatrical traditions. What endures is the play's psychological precision and light, conversational tone. Readers who enjoy classical drama, comedy of errors, or the historical evolution of theater will find it a quick, charming, and instructive work that demonstrates why Terence’s domestic intrigues have influenced playwrights for centuries.

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