Callimaque de Cyrène
See also: Callimaque
Callimaque (in Greek old Καλλίμαχος / Kallímackhos ) was a poet Greek, born with Cyrène towards 305 av. J. - C. and died towards 240 av. J. - C. with Alexandria.
According to certain late sources, he taught initially the humanities with Éleusis close to Athens; then was destined for Alexandria by Ptolémée Philadelphe, and gave lessons of poetry in the Museum: It had Apollonios of Rhodos and Aristophane de Byzance like disciples. It became librarian of Alexandria after the death of Zénodote, while continuing to give courses. A papyrus which provides the complete listing of the librarians, does not mention its name. One can deduce from it that Calllimaque was archivist. He wrote the first reasoned catalog of the Greek literature, the Pinakes , often quoted thereafter.
He wrote also works of history, grammar and literature and composed of the poems in almost all the kinds. He especially excelled in the reduced . Of all its writings, he reached us only some Hymnes composed for the festivals of the gods, the epigram S and some fragments. One finds in his poetries of the elegance and the scholarship rather than of the genius; they are extremely difficult to hear. It composed approximately 800 works, of which the Biche of Cérynie . He cried the death of Arsinoé II in one of his elegies. Its poetry is invaluable (cf the Hair of Bérénice , where he sings the beauty of his loops). One knows moreover of him the Ibis , poem can be directed against Apollonius, his former disciple, who had been ungrateful towards him (this poem was imitated by Ovide ), and the Chevelure of Bérénice put in Latin worms by Catulle. Its poetic collections report mythical or heroic accounts. In the Hecale , it deals with episode of the legend of Thésée. The collection of the Iambes was diversified more in literary parts or morals, Apologue S or accounts. The Hymnes , which celebrate Zeus in turn, Apollon, Artémis, the holy island of Délos, the bath of Pallas and Déméter were found in entirety at the end of the Moyen-âge.
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