| Share
 
Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—R

Roscius

A first-rate actor; so called from the Roman Roscius, unrivalled for his grace of action, melody of voice, conception of character, and delivery. He was paid thirty pounds a day for acting; Pliny says four thousand a year, and Cicero says five thousand.

“What scene of death hath Roscius now to act?”

Shakespeare: 3 Henry VI., v. 6.

Another Roscius.
So Camden terms Richard Burbage (1566-1619).

The British Roscius.
Thomas Betterton, of whom Cibber says, “He alone was born to speak what only Shakespeare knew to write.” (1635-1710).

David Garrick (1716-1779).

The Roscius of France.
Michel Boyron, generally called Baron. (1653-1729.) The Young Roscius. William Henry West Betty, who in fifty-six nights realised 34,000. (Died 1874, aged 84.)

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
Rose
Rosciad
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

More on Roscius from Infoplease:

Related Content


Premium Partner Content
HighBeam Research
Documents Images and Maps Reference
(from Newspapers, Magazines, Journals, Newswires, Transcripts and Books)

Research our extensive archive of more than 80 million articles from 6,500 publications.

Additional search results provided by HighBeam Research, LLC. © Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.

24 X 7

Private Tutor

Click Here for Details
24 x 7 Tutor Availability
Unlimited Online Tutoring
1-on-1 Tutoring
Explore Free Homework Help , Math Answers