About Phrynichus
Phrynichus was a Greek comedy writer and writer.
Phrynichus (; ) was a poet of the Old Attic comedy and a contemporary of Aristophanes. His first comedy was exhibited in 429 BC. He composed ten plays, of which the Recluse was exhibited at the City Dionysia in 414 along with the Birds of Aristophanes and gained the third prize. His Muses carried off the second prize at the Lenaia in 405, Aristophanes being first with the Frogs, in which he accuses Phrynichus of employing vulgar tricks to raise a laugh, of plagiarism and bad versification, and of lowbrow politics.
Surviving titles and fragments The surviving 86 fragments of his work may be found in , Comicorum atticorum fragmenta (Teubner, 1880).
Ephialtes ("Ephialtes") Konnos Kronos ("Cronus") Komastai ("Revellers") Monotropos ("The Recluse") Mousai ("The Muses") Mystai ("The Initiated Women") Poastriai ("Ladies Who Weed the Fields") Satyroi ("The Satyrs") Tragodoi ("Tragic Actors"), or Apeleutheroi ("Liberated Slaves")
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Important facts
Frequently asked questions
Who was Phrynichus?
5th-century BC Greek poet of Old Attic comedy
When was Phrynichus born?
Phrynichus was born in Athens.
When did Phrynichus die?
Phrynichus died in Athens.
What was Phrynichus's occupation?
Phrynichus was a comedy writer and writer.
What nationality was Phrynichus?
Phrynichus was Greek.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Phrynichus (comic poet)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Phrynichus. https://biography.guide/phrynichus-comedy-writer/
MLA: "Phrynichus." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/phrynichus-comedy-writer/.
Chicago: "Phrynichus." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/phrynichus-comedy-writer/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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