La legge Oppia : commedia togata in tre atti

by Anton Giulio Barrili

"La legge Oppia: commedia togata in tre atti" by Anton Giulio Barrili is a comedic play written in the late 19th century. The story is set against the backdrop of ancient Rome during a time of political and social tension, focusing on the female characters and their desire to challenge restrictive laws that limit their rights and freedoms. Key figures include Claudia Valeria, a wife of a Roman consul, and her daughters, who are in the thick of a plot that seeks to confront the limitations imposed by the Law Oppia. The opening of the play introduces us to the interior of Lucio Valerio Flacco’s house, where Birria, a servant, is sweeping as Mirrina, a freedwoman, enters with flowers for the household gods. Their banter reveals the domestic struggles and the dynamics of servitude in this aristocratic household. As the scene unfolds, we meet Claudia and her daughters, who are conspiring against the outdated Law Oppia, which restricts women's luxury and public conduct. The interplays between the characters highlight the tensions between the traditional expectations of women and their burgeoning desires for autonomy and self-expression, setting the stage for the subsequent acts that will explore the characters' challenges against societal norms.