Mercury

I am Plautus's Mercury, the sly god of profit (see my money bag?) and the messenger god (note my winged travel hat!). Given my godly attributes, I suppose it's only right that I get to impersonate a slave in the Amphitryo (named not for me, unfortunately, but for the blustering soldier-husband part!). I am the son of Jupiter and, if I say so myself, I am the most important actor in this comedy. Just look at how I'm in charge of opening the play, making everyone feel welcome, and defeating Sosia, the slave whose stupidity and cowardice gives Plautus's comic slaves a bad name!

But let me not keep you here nattering when the rehearsal is about to begin. To find out more, click on Sosia's name. He will tell you about himself and explain how to start up the rehearsal. Of course, the scene is much longer than the bit we're showing you, but what did you expect? Bring your money to the Ludi Romani and you'll get to see and hear the whole thing (if you're not sitting beside a noisy candidate for office, that is!).