Dulcitius (play)

[1] The play treats the figure of Dulcitius, governor of Thessalonica, as a subject for a comedy in the style of Terence.

Although the play is dark, with a plot that depicts the imprisonment and martyrdom of the three sisters, Agape, Chionia, and Irena, nevertheless its content is presumably deemed less grave because of the reward awaiting the Christian sufferers.

[2] The Roman Emperor Diocletian wants members of his imperial court to marry three virgin sisters: Agape, Chionia, and Irena.

Based on this information, Hrosvitha was born between 912 and 940, though historians generally agree that her date of birth is closer to 935.

Her approach substitutes "the laudable chastity of holy maidens" for his "unchaste actions of sensual women".

[6] This relationship between Terence and Hrosvitha represent a link between classical drama and the medieval morality plays.

Because of his limited presence, some have criticized Hrosvitha for creating no connection between the plotline of Dulcitius' adventures and that of the martyrdom of the three girls.

[8] Hrosvitha's plays are believed to be aimed towards the Christian ideal of the virginal woman, and intended for reading rather than for performance.