It was probably then that a theatre acoustically constructed after the Greek fashion and provided with seats was first erected, and more care generally was expended on the exhibitions.( 17) Now also there is frequent mention of the bestowal of a prize of victory--which implies the competition of several pieces--of the audience taking a lively part for or against the leading actors, of cliques and -claqueurs-.

The decorations and machinery were improved; moveable scenery artfully painted and audible theatrical thunder made their appearance under the aedileship of Gaius Claudius Pulcher in 655;( 18) and twenty years later (675) under the aedileship of the brothers Lucius and Marcus Lucullus came the changing of the decorations by shifting the scenes.

To the close of this epoch belongs the greatest of Roman actors, the freedman Quintus Roscius (d.

about 692 at a great age), throughout several generations the ornament and pride of the Roman stage,( 19) the friend and welcome boon-companion of Sulla--to whom we shall have to recur in the sequel.
Satura In recitative poetry the most surprising circumstance is the insignificance of the Epos, which during the sixth century had occupied decidedly the first place in the literature destined for reading; it had numerous representatives in the seventh, but not a single one who had even temporary success.

From the present epoch there is hardly anything to be reported save a number of rude attempts to translate Homer, and some continuations of the Ennian Annals, such as the "Istrian War" of Hostius and the "Annals (perhaps) of the Gallic War" by Aulus Furius (about 650), which to all appearance took up the narrative at the very point where Ennius had broken off--the description of the Istrian war of 576 and 577.
In didactic and elegiac poetry no prominent name appears.