Who was Roscius?

    Quintus Roscius (126? B.C.-62? B.C.) was a Roman actor, was so famous in his day that his name came to stand for "great actor." He excelled in both comic and tragic parts, and founded a school for actors. One of his pupils was the orator Cicero, who later defended him in a famous speech. Roscius was born a slave, not far from Rome. He became rich through his acting and bought his freedom.