Life Matron of Pitane (Μάτρων ὁ Πιτανεύς) was a Greek parodist from the city of Pitane in Aeolis, active in the late 5th or early 4th century BCE [1]. His biography is almost entirely unknown, preserved solely through Athenaeus’s Deipnosophistae (2nd–3rd century CE), which identifies his origin and quotes his work [1][2].

Works His sole known work is The Attic Dinner (Ἀττικὸν Δεῖπνον), a lengthy hexameter poem that parodies Homeric epic style to describe an extravagant Athenian banquet. Over 100 lines survive via quotation in Athenaeus [1][2][3].

Significance Matron is a master of literary parody, using the elevated diction and meter of epic to humorously depict a gluttonous feast, creating a deliberate and sophisticated dissonance [1][2]. His work provides valuable, if satirical, insight into Classical Athenian dining culture and stands as one of the most substantial examples of ancient Greek parody to survive [3].

Sources 1. Perseus Digital Library (Tufts University): https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2013.01.0002%3Abook%3D4%3Achapter%3D34%3Asection%3D1 (Athenaeus reference to Matron) 2. ToposText (Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation): https://topostext.org/people/1440 (Entry for Matron of Pitane) 3. World History Encyclopedia: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2120/the-hedonists-of-ancient-athens/ (Mentions Matron's work as a source on banquets)