Atellan farce

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Atellan farce (fabula Atellana)- This short, improvised comedic form is thought to have included exaggerated family situations or historical or mythological satire and burlesque. It is believed to have originated from the phlyakes or other southern Italian mimes. Although Atellan Farce was presented at the ludi as early as the third century B.C.E., little is known about the form, as it remained nonliterary until the first century B.C.E. However, its significance is widely understood; it is the primary influence on early Roman Theatre. It included some of the first stock characters, each with fixed costumes and masks.

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