Antoninus the Mythographer (Ἀντωνῖνος Λιβεράλις)

Life Antoninus Liberalis is known solely as the author of the Metamorphoses. His precise dates, birthplace, and biographical details are unknown, though his name suggests a Roman context. He is traditionally placed in the late second or early third century CE, within the period of the Second Sophistic [1]. His work indicates a learned, scholarly familiarity with earlier sources, but no specific personal information survives [1][2][3].

Works His only extant work is the Metamorphoses (Μεταμορφώσεων Συναγωγή), a compilation of forty-one brief transformation myths drawn from earlier Hellenistic sources [1][2][3].

Significance Antoninus Liberalis is a significant compiler and transmitter of mythological narratives. His Metamorphoses preserves variants of myths and serves as a crucial witness to the content of now-lost Hellenistic works, particularly those of Nicander and Boeus, whom he cites. The collection reflects the antiquarian interests of his era and is a valuable source for understanding later Greek mythography [1][2][3].

Sources 1. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics: Antoninus Liberalis. https://oxfordre.com/classics/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.001.0001/acrefore-9780199381135-e-480 2. Perseus Digital Library: Catalog of Authors - Antoninus Liberalis. http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0051:entry=antoninus-liberalis 3. ToposText: Antoninus Liberalis. https://topostext.org/people/1660