About the work
Phormio premiered in 161 BC at the Ludi Romani and is based on Apollodorus of Carystus's lost Epidicazomenos (The Claimant). It is the only one of Terence's six plays whose title departs from its Greek original: Terence named it after its title character, a parasitus — not a slave, but a free hanger-on who lives by doing favours for wealthier citizens.
Plot
The Athenians Demipho and Chremes are away and have entrusted their sons Antipho and Phaedria to the slave Geta. Phaedria loves the harp-girl Pamphila but cannot afford her; on Phormio's advice, Antipho has married the penniless Phanium under an obscure guardianship law, unaware that she is Phaedria's half-sister from his uncle's concealed second marriage. Phormio uses his knowledge of that secret to extract money from both fathers for their sons' love affairs.
Cultural significance
The plot device built around the inheritance rights of an heiress (epikleros) is regarded as one of the most skilful examples of how Terence reworked motifs of Greek New Comedy for a Roman audience.