Philemon (Φίλημων ὁ Συρακούσιος) Philemon was a Greek comic poet of the New Comedy period, born in Syracuse in the late 4th century BCE [1]. He was active in Athens as a contemporary and rival of Menander and later worked in Alexandria under Ptolemy II Philadelphus [1][2]. Ancient anecdotes record his theatrical rivalry with Menander, noting he sometimes defeated him in competitions, and he is said to have lived nearly 100 years [1][2].

Although 97 titles are attributed to him, only fragments of his works survive [1][2]. Among his known plays are The Treasure (Θησαυρός), The Ghost (Φάσμα), and The Brothers (Ἀδελφοί) [1][2].

Philemon was one of the most successful comic poets of his era, winning numerous victories at Athenian festivals and enjoying greater popularity than Menander during his lifetime [1]. His plays were later adapted into Latin by Plautus and Caecilius Statius, transmitting key elements of Greek New Comedy to Roman and later European traditions [1][2].

Sources 1. Encyclopædia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Philemon-Greek-poet 2. Perseus Digital Library, Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1898): https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0062%3Aentry%3Dphilemon-harpers