Sermo purus und verba Graeca – Eine Untersuchung im Hinblick auf den ‚reinen‘ Stil bei Terenz

Abstract

The following studies examine the use of verba Graeca in Terence's comedies. The initial point is the recognition by the classical writers Caesar and Cicero of the purity of Terence's language – a judgment which at first glance seems to be contradicted by Terence’s use of verba Graeca, because linguistic purity is tied to the ideal of Latinitas (and thus to the avoidance of foreign language elements). Whether this contradiction can be resolved will be examined on the basis of the distribution and nature of verba Graeca.