Plautus: With an English Translation

The Loeb Classical Library edition of the plays of Titus Maccius Plautus was conceived as part of an ambitious project to make the entirety of classical Greek and Latin literature accessible to the English-speaking world. Launched in 1911 by James Loeb, the series was designed to feature the original text on the verso page with a corresponding English translation on the recto, providing an essential resource for scholars and students alike. The translation for this specific set, initially prepared by Paul Nixon, aimed to capture the bawdy, colloquial vitality of Plautus's Roman comedies while maintaining the rigorous academic standards expected of the series.

The design of the Plautus volumes reflects the iconic aesthetic of the Loeb Classical Library, characterized by its signature cloth binding—red for Latin texts and green for Greek. This standardized format has remained a hallmark of classicist libraries for over a century, praised for its clarity, portability, and the enduring quality of its typography. Since its introduction, the collection has been regarded as the standard reference for those engaging with Roman drama, celebrated for successfully bridging the gap between historical linguistics and modern accessibility.