Hedylus of Samos (Ἥδυλος ὁ Σάμιος) was a Hellenistic epigrammatist active in the 3rd century BCE. He was the son of the poetess Hedyle and grandson of the Athenian poetess Moschine, indicating a literary lineage [1]. Hedylus is associated with the court of Ptolemy II Philadelphus in Alexandria, where he was a contemporary and rival of Callimachus [1][2].

His known works consist of approximately eleven epigrams preserved in the Greek Anthology and the writings of Athenaeus [1][2][3]. These are primarily sympotic or dedicatory poems. A famous example (Anth. Pal. 11.414) humorously celebrates the hetaira Callistion's drinking prowess, while another (Anth. Pal. 13.4) is a dedication to Priapus [1][2].

Hedylus represents the early Hellenistic transformation of the epigram from a simple inscription into a refined literary form, particularly for sympotic themes [1][2]. His familial connection to two generations of poetesses is a notable datum in the history of women’s literary production in antiquity [1]. His work offers insight into the competitive poetic culture of Ptolemaic Alexandria.

Sources 1. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics: https://oxfordre.com/classics/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.001.0001/acrefore-9780199381135-e-2969 2. Perseus Digital Library, Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aentry%3Dhedylus-bio-1 3. ToposText: https://topostext.org/people/1440