A Campanian by birth, and therefore probably not a Roman with the full rights of a citizen, Gnaeus Naevius nevertheless stands as one of the most interesting, talented, and allusive figures in the early history of Roman literature. He was a pioneer both on the stage and in the study. None of his works survives complete: there remain only fragments of tragedies and comedies based on Greek models, of a new kind of historical play on Roman themes called the fabula praetexta, and of the first original Latin epic. He was also the subject of much biographical speculation, and colorful stories about him circulated in antiquity.

Naevius was said to be a free spirit, a man quick to voice even political opinions from the stage and prepared to pay the price of that license. "Libera lingua loquemur ludis Liberalibus" (We will speak with free tongue at Freedom's games...