Callimachus

Callimachus, fl. c.280–45 B.C., Hellenistic Greek poet and critic

Callimachus, fl. c.280–45 B.C., Hellenistic Greek poet and critic, b. Cyrene. Educated at Athens, he taught before obtaining work in the Alexandrian library. There he drew up a catalog, with such copious notes that it constituted a full literary history. He also wrote criticism and other works in prose, but is most notable as a poet. It is said that he wrote more than 800 different pieces. Of these, six hymns (meant for reading, with no religious use), a number of epigrams, and fragments of other poems survive. His greatest work was the Aetia, a collection of legends. Other longer poems of which fragments survive are The Lock of Berenice, Hecale, and Iambi. Callimachus' poetry is notable for brevity, polish, wit, learning, and inventiveness in form. He engaged in a famous literary quarrel with Apollonius of Rhodes over whether well-crafted short poems were superior to long poems. His works had a considerable influence on later Greek and Roman poets, especially Catullus.

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Callimachus, fl. 2d half of 5th cent. B.C., Greek sculptor from Athens

Callimachus (kəlĭm`əkəs), fl. 2d half of 5th cent. B.C., Greek sculptor from Athens. He was famous as the maker of the gold lamp in the Erechtheum and a seated image of Hera for a temple at Plataea. There are several Roman copies of his works; one is Pan and the Three Graces (Capitoline Mus., Rome). He reputedly originated the Corinthian capital and invented the running drill used for simulating the folds of drapery in marble.

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Callimachus

(born c. 305, Cyrene, North Africa—died c. 240 BC) Greek poet and scholar. He migrated to Egypt, where he worked at the Library of Alexandria. Of his voluminous writings, only fragments survive. His best-known poetical work is the Causes (c. 270 BC), a medley of obscure tales explaining the origins of customs, festivals, and names. He is the most representative poet of the erudite and sophisticated Alexandrian school. His most famous prose work is the Pinakes (“Tablets”) in 120 books, a catalog of the authors whose works were held in the library.

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Callimachus

(flourished late 5th century BC) Greek sculptor. Though little is known of his life, he reputedly invented the ornate Corinthian capital (see order) after seeing leaves growing around a basket placed on a girl's tomb. He was noted for the elaborate carving and detailed draperies of his sculptures, which survive only as Roman copies.

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Callimachus

1. late 5th century bc, Greek sculptor, reputed to have invented the Corinthian capital

2. ?305--?240 bc, Greek poet of the Alexandrian School; author of hymns and epigrams