Life Arsenius the Paroemiographer (Ἀρσένιος ὁ Παροιμιογράφος) was a late antique compiler of Greek proverbs, conventionally dated to the 5th–6th century CE [1]. No specific biographical details about him survive, though his epithet identifies him as a collector of paroemiai (proverbs). He was likely a grammarian or scholar working within the educational circles of the Eastern Roman Empire [1].

Works His sole known work is the Collection of Proverbs (Ἀπανθισμὴ παροιμιῶν). This compilation gathers Greek proverbs, frequently providing explanations of their meanings and origins, and relies substantially on earlier paroemiographers like Zenobius and Diogenianus [1][2].

Significance Arsenius’s primary importance is as a transmitter of Greek paremiography. His derivative but systematic collection preserved numerous proverbs and served as a key reference in Byzantine education and scholarship [1][2]. It remains a valuable source for understanding popular wisdom and linguistic expression from the classical through late antique periods.

Sources 1. Encyclopædia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/topic/paroemiographer 2. Perseus Digital Library (Search for "Arsenius Paroemiographer"): https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/searchresults?q=Arsenius+Paroemiographer 3. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics (Search for "Arsenius"): https://oxfordre.com/classics/