Theatre Trivia Tweets: Tragedy Tonight? The Rioman in question. What Roman tragedian is known for having inspired Elizabethan playwrights, including Shakespeare? How did this Roman philosopher, statesman and dramatist die? SelectReveal Answer> The writer of tragedy is Seneca. After being accused of plotting to kill Emperor Nero, Seneca was sentenced to take his own life, which he did. Post navigation previous postNext Post