Alexander of Aetolia (Ἀλέξανδρος ὁ Αἰτωλός) was a Hellenistic poet and scholar, a native of Pleuron in Aetolia who flourished around 280 BCE [1]. He was invited to Alexandria by Ptolemy II Philadelphus to work on editing the texts of tragic and satyr plays for the Library, alongside figures like Lycophron [1][2]. He later spent the remainder of his life at the court of Antigonus II Gonatas in Macedonia [1][2].

His work survives only in fragments. The most notable is the Cabeiri (Κάβειροι), a hexameter poem in at least two books on the Argonauts and the Samothracian mysteries [1][2]. Another titled work, Apollo (Ἀπόλλων), is known only by name [2]. He is also credited with elegiac, iambic, and lyric poems in scant fragments, while attribution of tragedies to him is considered doubtful [1][2].

Alexander exemplifies the dual poet-scholar role of the early Hellenistic period. His editorial commission reflects the systematic literary scholarship of Alexandria, and his epic Cabeiri represents the learned, allusive poetry of the age. His career movement between rival courts illustrates the mobility of intellectuals within Hellenistic patronage networks.

Sources 1. Encyclopædia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-of-Aetolia 2. Perseus Digital Library, Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aentry%3Dalexander-of-aetolia-bio-1