Iophanus

Iophanus was a Sevician playwright and poet known primarily for his works of comedic theatre, especially within the form of theatre known as New Comedia. Known by many as "the father of New Comedia," Iophanus (alongside fellow playwrights Jane of Hearts and Porsa) helped pioneer and influence an entirely new form of comedy in Sevicia in the early and mid-seventh century. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest prose and play writers in Sevician history.
== Background and life ==
Born in the year 587 A.S in the Sevician capital of Morosea, Iophanus spent most of his early life poor. The only child of two fishmongers who lived on the northwestern coast of the city, Iophanus only learnt to read and write at the age of six, after his parents saved up enough money for him to be able to attend a local school. He quickly developed a love for writing and especially for theatre and drama. He joined a local theatre troupe at the age of nineteen (in 606) and began writing.
Iophanus wrote a number of short stories and play scenes intermittently over the next decade and a half, but his first full-length play, Omatapera, was completed in 623 and played for a total of eight shows over the next four months. It was a moderate, but not huge success, but earned Iophanus a great deal of acclaim for his unique writing style and staging, often omitting many notable elements from other, oldest forms of Sevician comedy - such as a choir or chorus, elaborate masks or costumes, and slapstick and farcical humour - and instead focusing more heavily on humour through dialogue and a realistic, political edge to his work.
His next two plays were released to similar success, and in 630 he released his fourth, Watchers, to huge popularity. Alonside the early works of fellow New Comedia playwrights Jane of Hearts and Porsa, the play is credited as popularising the theatrical form that would soon come to be known as New Comedia to a wide audience. Iophanus enjoyed a great deal of success over the next three decades, with several of his plays - Handsome Tales, Joy to Joy to Joy, and A Man Came From Ida - considered among the greatest works of theatre in Sevician history.
He passed away of complications from a respiratory infection at the age of 75, in the year 662, just one year after his final play was released. He was survived by his wife of four decade and two sons.
== Notable works ==
* Omatapera, 623 A.S
* For a Flagon, 625 A.S
* Salmonfolk, 628 A.S
* Watchers, 630 A.S
* Handsome Tales, 635 A.S
* Joy to Joy to Joy, 638 A.S
* Sarah, 639 A.S
* The Bowman's Daughter, 644 A.S
* The Banquet of Nyx, 648 A.S
* Strike like the Dragon, 655 A.S
* A Man Came From Ida, 661 A.S
== See also ==
Jane of Hearts
Porsa
New Comedia
Category:People