_The Characters._--These, with the occasional exception of slaves, are un-Roman, and exhibit Greek traits belonging to Athens of the time of the New Comedy. Plautus, unlike Terence, usually alters the names used in the original Greek plays, and substitutes 'tell-tale names'; so Parmeno (παραμένων), 'the faithful slave'; Polemo, 'the soldier'; Misargyrides, playfully for the _tarpessita_ (banker). The names are often of Latin derivation; thus Saturio, in _Pers._; Peniculus, in _Menaech._; Curculio, in _Curc._ _The Language of Plautus_, in spite of the Greek dress his plays assume, represents essentially the conversational language of his time. Many Greek features in language are, however, retained. For words kept in the original Greek cf. παῦσαι, οἴχεται, εὖγε, πάλιν, ἐπιθήκην (all in the _Trin._); for Greek words Latinized cf. _gynaeceum_, _parasitus_, _opsonium_, _dapsilis_ (= δαψιλής); for hybrid new formations based on Greek cf. _thensaurarius_, _plagipatidae_, _opsonari_, _pultiphagus_. _References to manners and customs._--(_a_) Many references to Greek life are retained from the original, especially in matters relating to dress, art, and money (Plautus has no reference to Roman money). Such are _chlamys_, _petasus_, _pallium_, _cyathus_, _cantharus_, _thermopolium_, _cerussa_, _melinum_ (_pigmentum_), _gynaeceum_, _balineae_, _ambulacrum_, _porticus_, _fores Samiae_ (_Menaech._ 178), _nummus_ (= drachma or didrachma), _nummi Philippei_, _mina_, _tarpessita_, _symbolus_, _epistula_. Cf. also _Pseud._ 146-7, 'Ut ne peristromata quidem aeque picta sint Campanica, neque Alexandrina beluata tonsilia tappetia.' (_b_) There are, however, innumerable references to Roman public life and manners and customs, even in passages manifestly close to the original, although references to public events are rare. 1. _Military expressions._--These, many of which are used metaphorically, were well adapted for an audience most of whom had seen service. The following are from the _Miles_: _legiones_, _imperator_, _peditastelli_, _rogare_, _latrocinari_, _stipendium_, _conscribere_, _contubernales_, _eques_, _pedes_, _machinas parare_. Cf. also _Pseud._ 148, 'Dederamque suas provincias'; _Pseud._ 572, 'Dum concenturio in corde sycophantias'; _Bacch._ 709, 'De ducentis nummis primum intendam ballistam in senem: ea ballista si pervortam turrim et propugnacula, recta porta invadam extemplo in oppidum antiquom et vetus.' All references, however, to the enrolment of mercenaries (_latrones_) are probably Greek and belong to the original play. 2. _Political expressions._--(_a_) Names of officials, etc. So _tresviri_, _quaestor_, _aedilis_, _praetor_, _senatus_. Cf. _Trin._ 879, 'Census quom sum iuratori recte rationem dedi'; _Pseud._ 1232, 'Centuriata habuit capitis comitia.'