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Alcaeus

450 BC – 400 BC

Ancient Greek poet of Old Comedy

Comedy writer
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About Alcaeus

Lived 450 BC – 400 BC. Alcaeus was a comedy writer.

Alcaeus , the son of Miccus, was an Athenian comic poet. His comedies marked the transition between Old Comedy and Middle Comedy. In 388 BC, his play Pasiphae was awarded the fifth (i.e. last) place prize in the same contest that Aristophanes exhibited his play Plutus.

Fabricius mentions another Alcaeus, a tragedian. This appears to be the same person as Alcaeus the comic poet.

Surviving titles and fragments Alcaeus was reported to have written ten plays. The titles of eight plays still exist, along with forty fragments altogether (seven of which are dubious, and may instead be by the better-known lyric poet), most of which suggest that he worked mainly in mythological subjects.

Adephai Moicheuomenai ("The Adulterous Sisters") Callisto Endymion Hieros Gamos ("Holy Marriage") Komadotragodia ("Comedo-Tragedy") Palaistra ("Palaestra") Panymedes Pasiphae

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Important facts

Born
450 BC, Mytilene
Birth century
Died
400 BC
Occupation
Comedy writer
Also known as
Alcaeus Comicus

People in Alcaeus's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Alcaeus's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Alcaeus?

ancient Greek poet of Old Comedy

When was Alcaeus born?

Alcaeus was born in 450 BC in Mytilene.

When did Alcaeus die?

Alcaeus died in 400 BC.

What was Alcaeus's occupation?

Alcaeus was a comedy writer.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Alcaeus

· Wikidata: Q3608942

· DBpedia: Alcaeus (comic poet)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Alcaeus. https://biography.guide/alcaeus/

MLA: "Alcaeus." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/alcaeus/.

Chicago: "Alcaeus." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/alcaeus/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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