ABSTRACT
The inequality of the sexes in the ancient world was vividly reflected within the constructs of New Comedy. That men and women were perceived differently and treated accordingly is apparent as men exercise power over marriage, sex and birth. This is demonstrated by numerous examples in the plays as women were raped, and then married to their rapists; 1 women had to hide or expose their children, or face the wrath of men (e.g. Men., Epit., Sam.; Plaut., Aul., Cist.; Ter., Ad., Hec.), and men could choose to have children of the ‘wrong’ sex exposed (e.g. Terence’s Heauton Timorumenos); and yet love evidently still flourished. In this chapter I will attempt to survey the main traits of masculinity discernible within New Comedy. I have not confined my discussion to Menander, but included Plautus and Terence as well.
