Much of what we know of Greco-Roman comedy comes from the surviving works of just four playwrights--the Greeks Aristophanes and Menander and the Romans Plautus and Terence. To introduce these authors and their work to students and general readers, this book offers a new, accessible translation of a representative play by each playwright, accompanied by a general introduction to the author's life and times, a scholarly article on a prominent theme in the play, and a bibliography of selected readings about the play and playwright.

This range of material, rare in a single volume, provides several reading and teaching options, from the study of a single author to an overview of the entire Classical comedic tradition. The plays have been translated for readability and fidelity to the original text by established Classics scholars. Douglas Olson provides the translation and commentary for Aristophanes' Acharnians, Shawn O'Bryhim for Menander's Dyskolos, George Fredric Franco for Plautus' Casina, and Timothy J. Moore for Terence's Phormio.

An incompetent professor of Biblical studies stumbles upon an ancient scroll during an excavation in the Middle East. Unable to translate the text, he enlists the aid of a brilliant young graduate student who uses code-breaking techniques to reveal its awful secrets. If her translation falls into the hands of a fanatical religious group, it will release dark forces that have been suppressed since the beginning of time.