Castorion of Soli (Καστορίων ὁ Σολεύς) was a minor Hellenistic poet from Soli in Cilicia. He is variably dated to either the mid-4th or the 3rd century BCE. Some testimonia associate him with the court of Clearchus, tyrant of Heraclea Pontica, while others connect him to the cult of the deified Ptolemaic queen Arsinoe II Philadelphus [1].

His sole surviving work is a fragmentary Hymn to Pan (Ὕμνος εἰς Πᾶνα), preserved by Athenaeus. Composed in dactylic hexameter, the hymn describes a miraculous self-cooling cup [1][2]. He is also credited with a lost Hymn to Clearchus [1].

Castorion’s significance lies in his representation of minor Hellenistic poetry. The Hymn to Pan, with its focus on a marvel, reflects contemporary tastes for the learned and wondrous. His potential link to the Arsinoe cult places him within the context of early Ptolemaic court poetry and the development of ruler cult [1][2].

Sources 1. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics: Castorion: https://oxfordre.com/classics/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.001.0001/acrefore-9780199381135-e-1452 2. ToposText: Castorion of Soli: https://topostext.org/people/1440