We have mention also of an Aeneas by Pomponius Secundus, and of two praetextae by Curiatius Maternus, entitled Domitius and Cato.
These eleven historical plays are, as we have seen, for the most part, plays of occasion, and would be at best of but temporary interest, born of the special circumstances which inspired them. They are in no way comparable with such historical dramas on Roman subjects as Shakespeare's Julius Caesar or Coriolanus, whose interest is for all times.
We have still a twelfth play of this class, which enjoys the unique distinction of being the only Roman historical drama which has come down to us—the Octavia. Its authorship is unknown, although tradition gives it a place among the tragedies of Seneca, the philosopher. The general opinion of modern critics, however, is against this tradition, chiefly because one passage in the play, in the form of a prophecy, too circumstantially describes the death of Nero, which occurred three years after the death of Seneca. It is generally agreed that the play must have been written soon after the death of Nero, and by some one, possibly Maternus, who had been an eye-witness of the events, and who had been inspired by his sympathies for the unfortunate Octavia to write this story of her sufferings.
OCTAVIA
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
| Octavia | Stepsister and wife of Nero. |
| Nurse | of Octavia. |
| Poppaea | Mistress and afterward wife of Nero. |
| Ghost of Agrippina | Mother of Nero, slain by him. |
| Nero | Emperor of Rome. |
| Seneca | Former tutor of Nero, and later one of his chief counselors. |
| Prefect of Roman Soldiers. | |
| Messenger. | |
| Chorus of Romans | Sympathetic with Octavia. |
| Chorus | Attached to the interests of the court. |
The scene is laid throughout in different apartments of the palace of Nero, and is concerned with the events of the year 62 A.D.