Portrait of Terence

Terence books in order

Roman comic playwright (2nd cent. BC)

Lived
184 BC–158 BC
Country
Ancient Rome
Books
2

Terence published 2 plays. The best-known is Phormio.

Updated September 2026

Where to start with Terence

Plays in order

  1. Phormio (1860)

    156 pages

  2. Andria (1863)

    128 pages

Free to read

All free classics

About Terence

Publius Terentius Afer, better known in English as Terence, was a playwright during the Roman Republic. He was the author of six comedies based on Greek originals by Menander or Apollodorus of Carystus. All six of Terence's plays survive complete and were originally produced between 166 and 160 BC.

Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Terence FAQ

How many books has Terence written?
Terence published 2 plays that we list, as of September 2026.
What order should I read Terence's books in?
Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Phormio.
What is Terence's most famous book?
Phormio is Terence's most widely read book.
Can I read Terence's books for free?
Yes. 2 books by Terence are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.

Authors like Terence

Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.