"Splay foot" --Actor/soldier/merchant who became the most famous playwright (to us) of Ancient Rome. Born c. 254 BC. Plautus mainly adapted Greek plays for Roman audiences, adding topical references, slapstick, whatever it took to get the audience laughing.
He composed 130 pieces-- including musicals, although only 21 of his works have survived to this day-- none with music. He was eventually granted citizenship and given permission to assume three names like a true-born Roman. Titus Maccius ("clown") Plautus died c. 184 BC, although his works would influence later playwrights, including William Shakespeare (Comedy of Errors), Moliere (The Miser), and Larry Gelbart and Stephen Sondheim (A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum).