Life Lynceus of Samos (Λύγκευς ὁ Σάμιος) was a comic poet active in the late 4th and early 3rd centuries BCE, a contemporary of Menander [1]. He was the brother of the historian and tyrant Duris of Samos and a pupil of the philosopher Theophrastus at the Lyceum, placing him within early Hellenistic intellectual circles in Athens [1][2].

Works His comic output survives only in fragments, with two known titles: Centaur (Κένταυρος) and Aphrodisia (Ἀφροδίσια) [1][2]. Lynceus also authored prose works, including a critical treatise On Menander (Περὶ Μενάνδρου), a collection of Apophthegms (Ἀποφθέγματα), and a gastronomic work titled The Gastronomy (Ἡ Ὀψαρτυτική), which discussed culinary practices [1][2]. He is also known to have written letters, including one to Ptolemy II Philadelphus [1][2].

Significance Lynceus represents a bridge between New Comedy, Peripatetic philosophy, and Hellenistic prose. His gastronomic writing offers valuable insight into contemporary social history and material culture, while his treatise on Menander establishes him as an early critic of the foremost New Comedy playwright [1][2].

Sources 1. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics: https://oxfordre.com/classics/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.001.0001/acrefore-9780199381135-e-3782 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%3Dlynceus-bio-2