Marble new comedy mask
New comedy was a Roman-influenced genre believed to be introduced by Menander, a Greek dramatist. It focused on more domestic scenes and comedic romance stories. This character was likely a stock slave character who may have assisted the lead in their romantic pursuits and provided comedic relief.
The original artefact was found west of the Stoa of Attalos in the Athenian agora; the stoa was a long portico walkway for public use lined with columns. They typically bordered marketplaces or sanctuaries, and would allow citizens to shop, walk and worship, or for performers to find an audience for themselves. An agora is a central community space in which all kinds of citizens could mingle. It accommodated businesses, the arts, sports, religious and spiritual gatherings, and political life in the heart of the city. The ancient agora in Athens may have hosted theatrical performances in its community spaces before buildings were built and reserved for them. The Agora did not have an amphitheater built, so it is very possible that performances took place out in the open. This artefact may have been an architectural decoration to commemorate the acts that took place there.