Dionysius Scytobrachion of Mytilene Dionysius Scytobrachion (the "Leather-Arm") was a Greek grammarian and mythographer from Mytilene on Lesbos, active in the 3rd century BCE [1]. He is known primarily through later testimonia, especially in the works of Diodorus Siculus, who cites him extensively for Argonautic and Libyan myths [1]. His epithet "Scytobrachion" is of uncertain origin but may refer to a physical characteristic or a scribe’s protective sleeve [1].

Works Dionysius is credited with several prose works of mythological compilation. His Argonautica (Ἀργοναυτικά) was a prose account used by Diodorus Siculus as a major source [1]. His Libyan Stories (Λιβυκά) concerned North African myths involving the Amazons and Athena, while his Dionysiaca (Διονυσιακά) treated myths of Dionysus [1]. All three works are lost and survive only in fragments or citations.

Significance Dionysius represents a significant figure in Hellenistic mythography. His works were comprehensive prose re-narrations that sought to provide coherent, sometimes rationalized versions of mythical cycles [1]. His influence is most visible in Diodorus Siculus, through whom his mythological versions were transmitted to later antiquity [1].

Sources 1. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics: Dionysius Scytobrachion: https://oxfordre.com/classics/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.001.0001/acrefore-9780199381135-e-2269