''The History and Fall of Caius Marius'' is a

tragedy Tragedy (from the grc-gre, τραγῳδία, ''tragōidia'', ''tragōidia'') is a genre of drama based on human suffering and, mainly, the terrible or sorrowful events that befall a main character. Traditionally, the intention of tragedy ...

written by English writer

Thomas Otway Thomas Otway (3 March 165214 April 1685) was an English dramatist of the Restoration period, best known for '' Venice Preserv'd'', or ''A Plot Discover'd'' (1682). Life Otway was born at Trotton near Midhurst, the parish of which his fathe ...

. The play was first performed in 1679 and is indebted to

William Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

's tragedy, '' Romeo and Juliet''. It is based on the Roman civil wars of Marius and his rival Sulla. It was originally staged by the Duke's Company at the

Dorset Garden Theatre The Dorset Garden Theatre in London, built in 1671, was in its early years also known as the Duke of York's Theatre, or the Duke's Theatre. In 1685, King Charles II died and his brother, the Duke of York, was crowned as James II. When the Du ...

in London. The cast included

Thomas Betterton Thomas Patrick Betterton (August 1635 – 28 April 1710), the leading male actor and theatre manager during Restoration England, son of an under-cook to King Charles I, was born in London. Apprentice and actor Betterton was born in August 16 ...

as Caius Marius, Joseph Williams as Sylla, William Smith as Marius Junior, Thomas Percival as Granius, Thomas Gillow as Metellus,

Thomas Jevon Thomas Jevon (1652–1688) was an English playwright, and one of the first English Harlequins. He began his career as a dancing master, but worked his way onto the stage, and played leading low-comedy parts in London between 1673 and 1688. His br ...

as Cinna, Cave Underhill as Sulpitius,

James Nokes James Nokes (Noke, Noak, Noakes) (died c.1692) was an English actor, whose laughter-arousing genius was attested by Cibber Cibber is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: *Caius Gabriel Cibber, Danish sculptor; father of Colley Cib ...

as Nurse and

Elizabeth Barry Elizabeth Barry (1658 – 7 November 1713) was an English actress of the Restoration period. Elizabeth Barry's biggest influence on Restoration drama was her presentation of performing as the tragic actress. She worked in large, prestigious ...

as Lavinia. The published version was dedicated to the politician Lord Falkland. It was created in the late 1600s, somewhere around 1680.

Characters

The list of characters below: * Caius Marius * Sylla * Marius Junior * Granius * Metellus * Cinna * Priest * Apothecary * Sulpitius * Quintus Pompeius * Quintus Pompeius' son * Lavina * Nurse Guards, ruffians and lictors also appear in the play.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:History and Fall of Caius Marius 1679 plays Plays set in the Roman Republic Tragedy plays Cultural depictions of Sulla Plays about war English Restoration plays Plays and musicals based on Romeo and Juliet Plays by Thomas Otway