Life The Dionysius Letters (Διονυσίου Ἐπιστολαί) are a pseudepigraphical collection attributed to, but not authored by, the historian Dionysius of Halicarnassus. The actual author is an unknown scholar or teacher of rhetoric, likely operating between the 1st century BCE and the 3rd century CE. The letters are addressed to classical figures like Demosthenes, Thucydides, and Plato, and their content focuses on literary criticism and rhetorical theory [1][2].

Works The sole known work is the Epistulae (Letters), a collection of rhetorical and critical essays. Their disputed authorship places them within the Hellenistic or early Imperial tradition of rhetorical education [1][2].

Significance The collection is a significant document of ancient literary criticism, providing insight into how later scholars analyzed canonical Greek authors. It reflects contemporary rhetorical methods, discussing style, diction, and composition. Its pseudepigraphical nature illustrates a common strategy to lend authority to pedagogical texts and highlights the post-classical reception of classical literature [1][2].

Sources 1. Perseus Digital Library (Tufts University): https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0080 2. Perseus Digital Library - Smith's Dictionary Entry for Dionysius (Tufts University): https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0104:entry=dionysius-bio-27