The Meropis is an anonymous Greek epic poem from the 4th century BCE. Its author is entirely unknown, and the work survives only as a single brief fragment and a few references. The poem is written in the traditional epic meter but belongs to a tradition of parody.
The surviving fragment describes the hero Heracles in a comically gluttonous way, showing him eating an entire ox and a giant pie meant for a whole village. This treatment deliberately mocks the serious style of heroic epic. According to modern scholars, the poem's title likely connects to the mythical Meropes, a people often linked to giants or a fantastical land, which would suit a parody about Heracles. The Meropis is significant because it shows the range of ancient epic poetry, extending beyond serious tales of heroes to include humor and satire. Its existence highlights the diversity of literary culture in the Classical period.
Available Works
Sources
- Perseus Entry (Perseus Digital Library) Accessed: 2026-01-26
- Oxford Research Encyclopedia Entry (Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics) Accessed: 2026-01-26