Life Phaedimus of Bisanthe (Φαίδιμος ὁ Βισανθηνός) was a Hellenistic poet of the 3rd century BCE from Bisanthe on the Thracian Chersonese [1]. He is consistently listed among the poets of the Alexandrian Pleiad, the group of seven tragic poets active during the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (283–246 BCE), which places him within the early Ptolemaic literary milieu [1][2].

Works His literary output is almost entirely lost. As a member of the Pleiad, he wrote tragedies, though no titles survive [1][2]. One epigram attributed to him, a dedicatory poem for a statue of Hermes, is preserved in the Greek Anthology (Anthologia Palatina 6.271) [1].

Significance Phaedimus’s primary significance stems from his attested membership in the Alexandrian Pleiad, marking him as a notable figure in the development of Hellenistic tragedy [1][2]. His inclusion by ancient authorities like Athenaeus indicates his contemporary stature, and his sole surviving epigram confirms his activity across poetic genres.

Sources 1. Perseus Digital Library, "Phaedimus" entry in Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DP%3Aentry+group%3D10%3Aentry%3Dphaedimus-bio-2 2. ToposText, "Phaedimus of Bisanthe" author entry: https://topostext.org/people/1430