Gaius Ummidius Actius Anicetus Explained
Gaius Ummidius Actius Anicetus |
Nationality: | Roman |
Occupation: | Pantomime actor |
Gaius Ummidius Actius Anicetus was a Roman pantomime actor who lived in Pompeii.[1] [2]
Actius is attested in an inscription from Puteoli that identifies him as a pantomime actor.[3] The possibility has been raised that Actius may be the freedman (libertus) of Ummidia Quadratilla who is discussed in the letters of Pliny the Younger.[4] [5] Various graffiti found at Pompeii record praise for Actius.[6] These include:
- "Actius, master of stage performers." from tomb 4 in the Fondo Pacifico near the amphitheater of Pompeii[7]
- "Actius, greetings." from the large theater at Pompeii[8]
- a possible mention of Actius from Herculaneum: "Lucius Actius, hail. Mysticus, the musician, of the comedian Icuus ... we were for you."[9]
An actor named Actius also appears in Unit 1, Stage 5 of the Cambridge Latin Course.[10]
Notes and References
- James L. Franklin, Jr. 1987. “Pantomimists at Pompeii: Actius Anicetus and His Troupe.” The American Journal of Philology 108.1:95-107.
- Book: Beard, Mary. Pompeii: The Life of a Roman Town. 27 November 2014. 2010-07-09. Profile Books. 9781847650641. 258–.
- "Gaius Ummidius Actius Anicetus, pantomime" ILS 5183
- Book: Robert K. Sherk. The Roman Empire: Augustus to Hadrian. 14 July 1988. Cambridge University Press. 978-0-521-33887-5. 212–.
- [Pliny the Younger|Pliny]
- Book: Alison E. Cooley. Alison E. Cooley . M. G. L. Cooley. Pompeii and Herculaneum: A Sourcebook. 1 October 2013. Routledge. 978-1-134-62449-2. 99–.
- CIL 4, 5399
- CIL 4, 4965
- CIL 4, 10643c
- Book: Caroline Lawrence. Trimalchio's Feast and Other Mini-Mysteries. 30 December 2010. Orion Publishing Group. 978-1-84255-757-0. 75–.