Playwright. Also known as Diphilus of Sinope. One of the last great Ancient Greek dramatists, he lived from approximately 350 BC to 290 BC. As a pioneer of the comedy of manners he is traditionally classed with Menander and Philemon as a leader of Greek New Comedy. Diphilus was famed for his well-constructed plots, brilliant use of stage effects, and an unpretentious verse style written in a form of meter he devised himself. Of his estimated 100 works none survive complete; we have some 140 fragments and 63 play titles, including "The Parasite", "The Busybody", "Sappho", "Men Dying Together", and "The Concubine". He is probably better known through his influence on Roman theatre. Plautus made several Latin adaptations of his plays in the late 2nd Century BC ("Casina", "Rudens", "Asinaria", "Commorientes"), and Terence borrowed a scene from Diphilus for his comedy "The Brothers" (160 BC). Diphilus was born in Sinope, Paphlagonia (now Sinop, Turkey). Most of his life was spent in Athens, where he was active as a playwright and occasional actor. Records show he won at least three prizes for comedy at the annual Lenaia festival. The ancient writer Athenaeus preserved an anecdote about his alleged relationship with a famous courtesan named Gnathaena. When Diphilus complimented her on how refreshingly cold her wine was, she replied, "That's no surprise, we always mix it with your comedies". He died in Smyrna (now Izmir, Turkey). A cenotaph for him was inscribed on his family's tomb along the road from Piraeus to Athens.
Playwright. Also known as Diphilus of Sinope. One of the last great Ancient Greek dramatists, he lived from approximately 350 BC to 290 BC. As a pioneer of the comedy of manners he is traditionally classed with Menander and Philemon as a leader of Greek New Comedy. Diphilus was famed for his well-constructed plots, brilliant use of stage effects, and an unpretentious verse style written in a form of meter he devised himself. Of his estimated 100 works none survive complete; we have some 140 fragments and 63 play titles, including "The Parasite", "The Busybody", "Sappho", "Men Dying Together", and "The Concubine". He is probably better known through his influence on Roman theatre. Plautus made several Latin adaptations of his plays in the late 2nd Century BC ("Casina", "Rudens", "Asinaria", "Commorientes"), and Terence borrowed a scene from Diphilus for his comedy "The Brothers" (160 BC). Diphilus was born in Sinope, Paphlagonia (now Sinop, Turkey). Most of his life was spent in Athens, where he was active as a playwright and occasional actor. Records show he won at least three prizes for comedy at the annual Lenaia festival. The ancient writer Athenaeus preserved an anecdote about his alleged relationship with a famous courtesan named Gnathaena. When Diphilus complimented her on how refreshingly cold her wine was, she replied, "That's no surprise, we always mix it with your comedies". He died in Smyrna (now Izmir, Turkey). A cenotaph for him was inscribed on his family's tomb along the road from Piraeus to Athens.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
Inscription
"Dion son of Diodorus of Sinope.
Diphilus son of Dion, of Sinope.
Hedyle.
Diodorus son of Dion (called) Semachides".
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