Life Ophelio (or Ophelion) Comicus was an ancient Greek comic poet of the 4th century BCE, active during the period of Middle Comedy. He is known only from fragments and mentions in later sources, primarily the Byzantine encyclopedia Suda, which provides the sole record of his existence [1]. No biographical details concerning his birthplace or associations survive.

Works The Suda attributes two lost comedies to Ophelio: Hemitheos (Ἡμίθεος, "The Demigod") and Pandrosos (Πάνδροσος) [1]. Both plays survive only as titles, and no textual fragments are extant.

Significance Ophelio Comicus exemplifies the numerous comic poets from the Classical period whose works are almost entirely lost. The mythological themes suggested by his play titles align with common features of Middle Comedy [2]. His historical importance lies in being one of the many attested names that help scholars map the scope and chronology of the ancient comic tradition.

Sources 1. Suda, O 492 (Suda On Line): https://www.cs.uky.edu/~raphael/sol/sol-entries/omicron/492 2. Encyclopædia Britannica, "Greek Literature: Middle Comedy": https://www.britannica.com/art/Greek-literature/Middle-Comedy