Astydamas the Younger (Ἀστυδάμας ὁ Νεώτερος) was an Athenian tragic poet of the 4th century BCE. He was the son of the tragedian Astydamas the Elder and the grandson of Philocles, a nephew of Aeschylus, placing him within a distinguished dramatic lineage [1]. A contemporary of Demosthenes, he was noted for his exceptional pride; ancient sources record that he erected a statue of himself in the Theatre of Dionysus, an act met with public ridicule [1][2].

He was a prolific and successful playwright, credited with 240 tragedies and satyr plays, of which 15 won first prize [1][2]. His surviving works exist only in fragments. Known titles include Achilles, Athamas, Antigone, Hector, and Heracles, with a notable victory in 340 BCE for a production featuring Achilles, Athamas, and Antigone [1][2].

Astydamas represents the generation of tragedians following the 5th-century masters. His career demonstrates the continued vitality of Athenian tragic theatre in the Classical period beyond Sophocles and Euripides. The anecdote of his statue became a proverbial example of artistic vanity in antiquity [1][2].

Sources 1. Perseus Digital Library, Astydamas entry in Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aentry%3Dastydamas-bio-2 2. ToposText, Astydamas the Younger: https://topostext.org/people/1420