Life Apollodorus of Carystus (Ἀπολλόδωρος ὁ Καρύστιος) was a Greek comic poet of the New Comedy period, active in the early to mid-3rd century BCE [1][2]. A native of Carystus in Euboea, he was a contemporary and competitor of Menander, winning five victories at Athenian dramatic festivals [1][2]. Ancient sources, including the Suda, note he was the son of Scymnus, but few other personal details survive [1].

Works Though only fragments and titles remain, Apollodorus was a prolific playwright. His comedies are known primarily through later Roman adaptations. Significant works include Hecyra ("The Mother-in-Law") and Phormio, both adapted by Terence [1][3]. Other attested titles are Epidikazomenos ("The Claimant"), Apokarteron ("The Starving Man"), Hieres ("The Priestess"), Paidion ("The Little Child"), and Sphattomene ("The Woman Being Slaughtered") [1][2].

Significance Apollodorus is a key figure of later New Comedy, bridging the Athenian tradition and Roman adaptation. His primary importance lies in providing source material for Roman dramatists; Terence’s adaptations of Hecyra and Phormio offer crucial evidence for his style and the process of contaminatio [1][3]. His works exemplify standard New Comedy themes of family conflict and romantic intrigue, which entered the Western literary canon through these Latin versions [2].

Sources 1. Encyclopædia Britannica: Apollodorus Of Carystus: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Apollodorus-of-Carystus 2. Perseus Digital Library, Apollodorus (12) of Carystus: https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0104:entry=apollodorus-bio-12 3. World History Encyclopedia: Terence: https://www.worldhistory.org/Terence/