Nymphodorus of Abdera (Νυμφόδωρος ὁ Ἀβδηρίτης)

Life Nymphodorus was a 5th-century BCE Greek historian from Abdera in Thrace. His life is known primarily through Thucydides, who records that Nymphodorus, an exiled citizen, was recalled by Athens around 430/429 BCE to serve as their proxenos (official representative) [1]. He successfully negotiated an alliance between Athens and the Thracian king Sitalces, cementing it by arranging the marriage of his sister to the king [1].

Works He is credited with authoring a geographical work titled Periplus of Asia (Περίπλους τῆς Ἀσίας), which is now lost and survives only in fragments [2].

Significance Nymphodorus was a diplomat of strategic importance to Athens early in the Peloponnesian War [1]. As an author, his lost Periplus belonged to the tradition of Ionian ethnography. Later writers cite him for descriptions of wondrous peoples and customs, placing his work within the realm of early paradoxography [2][3].

Sources 1. Perseus Digital Library (Tufts University): https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Thuc.+2.29&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0200 (Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War 2.29) 2. ToposText (Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation): https://topostext.org/work/206 (Entry for Nymphodorus of Abdera) 3. Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology (via Perseus): https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aentry%3Dnymphodorus-bio-1