Life Nicolaus (Νικόλαος ὁ κωμικός) was an Athenian comic poet of the 4th century BCE, active during the period of Middle Comedy [3][4]. Beyond his identification as a writer of comedies, almost no biographical details survive [1]. The 10th-century Suda encyclopedia credits him with seven plays, though only two titles are corroborated elsewhere [1][2].

Works Only two play titles are attested: Πανδώρα (Pandora) and Σωσίπολις (Sosipolis) [1][2]. Both works are lost, and his output survives only in fragments, primarily preserved through later authors like Athenaeus [2].

Significance Nicolaus is a minor figure whose significance lies in illustrating the breadth of comic production in the 4th century BCE. The titles of his plays suggest engagement with mythological and civic themes typical of Middle Comedy, the transitional period between Old Comedy and New Comedy [2][4]. His inclusion in ancient catalogs confirms his place within the tradition, despite the loss of his work [1].

Sources 1. Suda, entry "Nicolaus" (via Suda On Line, University of Kentucky): https://www.cs.uky.edu/~raphael/sol/sol-entries/nu/407 2. Perseus Digital Library, "Nicolaus (3)" in Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0104:entry=nicolaus-bio-3 3. Encyclopædia Britannica, "Greek literature: Middle Comedy": https://www.britannica.com/art/Greek-literature/Middle-Comedy 4. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics, "Comedy, Greek, Middle" (Login required for full text; summary accessed): https://oxfordre.com/classics/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.001.0001/acrefore-9780199381135-e-1682