Syrus
PUBLIUS, or PUBLILIUS, a Roman writer of mimes who flourished about 43 B. C., and was most probably a Syrian slave brought to Rome in early youth, educated, and freed by some indulgent master. After Laberius he reigned supreme on the stage, and his mimes, being as full of shrewd epigrammatic wit as broad humor, did not perish with him. About 200 apothegms are still extant, under the title "Witticisms of Publius Syrus."