"I took what Joe gave me, and found it to be the crumpled playbill of a small metropolitan theatre, announcing the first appearance, in that very week, of "the celebrated Provincial Amateur of Roscian renown, whose unique performance in the highest tragic walk of our National Bard has lately occasioned so great a sensation in local dramatic circles."
I do not understand the meaning of "Roscian" in the quotation. I did find a reference to a "Roscian law" that in
Rome reserved 14 rows of seats to the equites. Perhaps Bingley can explain it to us.
I think it's just hyperbole, Doc - all I can find is that Roscius was a Roman actor (c126–c62b.c.), but I know nothing about him. I do not think he is a widely known figure in luvvie circles, but am happy to be corrected if it's just my blind spot.
I suspect his enduring fame has more to do with the fact that Cicero wrote a speech for his defence in a lawsuit than with any particular outstanding abilities in the dramatic arts.
http://perseus.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/cgi-bin/ptext?lookup=Cic.+Q.+Rosc.+1Bingley
Thanks, Bingley. Then "Roscian" is just an alternative to "Thespian".
thespian
adj : of or relating to drama; "the movie director had thespian
cooperation"
n : a theatrical performer [syn: actor, histrion, player,
role player]
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Thespian \Thes"pi*an\, a. [From L. Thespis, Gr. ?, the founder
of the Greek drama.]
Of or pertaining to Thespis; hence, relating to the drama;
dramatic; as, the Thespian art. -- n. An actor.
Thespian for tragic actors and Roscian for comic actors, perhaps?
Bingley