Captives

Though with some of Plautus's usual comic elements (including people in disguise, clever servant, etc), this is a rare serious play by him looking at slavery and prisoners of war among the various Greek states. From the Prologue: "Really, it will be worth your while to give your attention to this play.... Don't you be afraid because I've said that there's war between the Aetolians and the Eleans. There (pointing), at a distance, beyond the scenes, the battles will be fought. For this were almost