Menippus of Gadara was a Cynic philosopher and satirist active in the first half of the 3rd century BCE. Ancient accounts report he began life as a slave, bought his freedom, and later lost a fortune as a moneylender. He was known as "the jesting philosopher" for using humor to convey serious Cynic ideas.

None of his own writings survive intact. He was a prolific author whose works are known only by their titles and descriptions from later writers. These titles, such as Nekyia (a descent to the underworld) and Sale of Diogenes, suggest he used parody to critique philosophical pretensions and social conventions. His signature style mixed prose with verse, creating a new literary form.

His principal significance lies in founding the genre that bears his name: Menippean satire. This form is characterized by its mixed format, fantastical scenarios, and philosophical critique. His model profoundly influenced later Roman literature. Scholars note that the Roman writer Varro explicitly imitated him, and his style is seen as a direct precursor to major works like Lucian’s dialogues and Petronius’s Satyricon. Through these channels, the Menippean tradition shaped the development of European satire.