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Chaeremon (Dramatist)

1911 Encyclopedia Britannica

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Chaeremon (Philosopher)

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Athenian dramatist of the first half of the 4th century B.C. He is generally considered a tragic poet. Aristotle (Rhetoric, iii. 12) says his works were intended for reading, not for representation. According to Suidas, he was also a comic poet, and the title of at least one of his plays ( Achilles Slayer of Thersites ) seems to indicate that it was a satyric drama. His Centaurus is described by Aristotle ( Poet. i. 12) as a rhapsody in all kinds of metres. The fragments of Chaeremon are distinguished by correctness of form and facility of rhythm, but marred by a florid and affected style reminiscent of Agathon. He especially excelled in descriptions (irrelevantly introduced) dealing with such subjects as flowers and female beauty. It is not agreed whether he is the author of three epigrams in the Greek Anthology (Palatine vii. 469, 720, 721) which bear his name.

See H. Bartsch, De Chaeremone Poeta tragico (1843); fragments in A. Nauck, Fragmenta Tragicorum Graecorum.