person
Servius Claudius
Servius
also: Servius frater Paeti
A learned kinsman ('brother') of L. Papirius Paetus, a textual critic of early Latin comedy able to distinguish genuine from spurious verses of Plautus; called by Cicero 'the most lettered of men' (Fam. 9.16.4). Generally identified with the grammarian and Plautine scholar Servius Clodius.
Reading notes
- Ad Familiares 9.16 §4 your brother Servius --- whom I count as the most lettered of men --- could readily say ``This verse is not Plautus's, this one is,''
Servius Claudius, Paetus's learned kinsman, was a textual critic of early Latin comedy able to distinguish genuine from spurious verses of Plautus by a connoisseur's 'worn ear.' Cicero uses him as a parallel for Caesar's discernment in spotting which witticisms are authentically Ciceronian.