Eumelus of Corinth (Εὔμηλος ὁ Κορίνθιος) was an archaic Greek epic poet, traditionally dated to the 8th–7th century BCE and considered a member of Corinth’s Bacchiad ruling family [1][2]. Ancient sources often place him as a contemporary of the foundation of Syracuse (c. 734 BCE) and associate him with the reign of King Aletes, though these biographical details are derived from later chronographies and treated with scholarly caution [1][2].

His fragmentary works include the Corinthiaca (Κορινθιακά), a prose account of Corinthian history and mythology; the Europia (Εὐρωπία), likely concerning the myth of Europa; the Bougonia (Βουγονία), a poem of unknown subject; and a Titanomachy (Τιτανομαχία) on the war of the gods and Titans, an attribution shared with other early poets [1][2].

Eumelus represents the early non-Homeric epic tradition, contributing to the archaic poetic canon and the development of Corinth’s legendary pedigree [1]. His works, especially the Corinthiaca, were instrumental in shaping regional identity and integrating local myths into the broader Panhellenic tradition during the Archaic period [1][2].

Sources 1. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics: Eumelus: https://oxfordre.com/classics/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.001.0001/acrefore-9780199381135-e-2566 2. Perseus Digital Library, Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology: Eumelus: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aentry%3Deumelus-bio-1