Choerilus of Athens (Χοιρίλος ὁ Ἀθηναῖος) was an early Athenian tragic poet active in the late 6th and early 5th centuries BCE. The Byzantine encyclopedia, the Suda, records that he lived from the 73rd Olympiad (488-485 BCE) onward, produced 160 plays, won 13 victories, and competed against Aeschylus [1]. He is grouped with pioneers like Thespis and Phrynichus as a precursor to the canonical tragedians. One tradition in the Suda credits him with introducing the use of masks and verse-speaking satyrs, though these innovations are more commonly ascribed to Thespis [1].

No play by Choerilus survives intact. The Suda attributes 160 works to him, but he is known only through fragments and uncertain titles, such as Alope [1].

Choerilus holds significance as a historical figure in the formative development of Greek tragedy. His prolific output and recorded competition with Aeschylus mark him as a notable transitional dramatist who helped shape the early dramatic competitions at the City Dionysia before the genre reached its classical form.

Sources 1. Suda, "Choerilus" (Suda On Line): https://www.cs.uky.edu/~raphael/sol/sol-entries/chi/322 2. Perseus Digital Library, "Choerilus" (in Smith's Dictionary): http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aentry%3Dchoerilus-bio-1 3. Encyclopædia Britannica, "Choerilus of Athens": https://www.britannica.com/biography/Choerilus-of-Athens