ATELLAN, or ATELLANAE, in Antiquity, a kind of comic and satiric Pieces, presented on the Roman Theater; somewhat less ludicrous than the Farces on the English Stage, and yet less grave and serious than the Greek or Latin Comedies and Tragedies. See COMEDY, TRAGEDY, SCENE, etc.
The Atellanae, or Fabulae Atellanae of the Romans, answered to the Satyr among the Greeks. See SATYR, FABLE, etc.
They were thus called from Atella, a City of Campania, where they were first represented.
They became so licentious and impudent, that the Senate was at length obliged to suppress them. See SCENIC.
