Life Lycophron (Λυκόφρων ὁ Τραγικός) was a Hellenistic Greek poet and grammarian of the early 3rd century BCE, a native of Chalcis in Euboea [1]. He was a member of the Alexandrian Pleiad, working at the Library of Alexandria under Ptolemy II Philadelphus, where he edited the works of comic poets [1][2][3]. The Suda records that he was the son of Socles, adopted by the historian Lycus of Rhegium, and that he died from an arrow wound [1][2].

Works Most of Lycophron's works are lost, including his tragedies (one titled Menedemus), a satyr drama, and comedies [1][2]. His sole surviving work is the Alexandra, a notoriously obscure dramatic monologue poem dense with mythological allusion [1][2][3]. He is also credited with a scholarly treatise On Comedy [1][2].

Significance Lycophron exemplifies the Alexandrian scholarly tradition through his editorial work. His enduring significance rests on the Alexandra, whose extreme difficulty made it infamous in antiquity and secures his place as a notable, if enigmatic, figure in Hellenistic poetry [1][3].

Sources 1. Encyclopædia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lycophron 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%3Dlycophron-bio-1 3. World History Encyclopedia: https://www.worldhistory.org/Lycophron/