Contest of Poetry in Alexandria: Call. Ia. 1, 13, Herod. Mim. 8, al.

Abstract

Abstract A combined investigation of Herod. Mim. 8 (Ἐνύπνιον) with Callim. Ia. 1, 13, and Ep. 8, reveals that they all relate to a certain poetic contest that took place in Alexandria under the auspices of Ptolemy I, in one of the last years of his reign. The contest, must have been co-ordinated by the Mouseion and its director at the time, Zenodotus. The two poets took part in the contest, together with a host of other poets. Callim. Ia. 1 gives a figurative account of the contest’s course of action. Herodas, awaiting the results, writes Mim. 8, where he expresses his hopes for a prize, though he suspects foul play on behalf of the poets employed at the Mouseion by the king who was supposed to decide the prize. Callim. Ep. 8 is a sarcastic reply to Herodas’ fears, while Ia. 13 narrates the harsh criticism Callimachus received from Zenodotus and his proud reaction in response, obviously after his contribution was rejected.