Philetaerus the Comic Poet (Φιλέταιρος ὁ κωμικός) was an Athenian comic poet of the Middle Comedy period, active in the 4th and possibly early 3rd century BCE [1]. The Suda lexicon records that he was the brother of the poet Apollodorus of Carystus and the father of the poet Machon, placing him within a family of comic dramatists [1, 2].

Ancient sources credit him with an extraordinarily prolific output, with the Suda citing 200 plays [1, 2]. Only two titles survive from fragments: The Huntress (Κυνηγός) and the mythological burlesque Tereus (Τηρεύς) [1, 2].

Philetaerus was a significant figure in the transition from Middle to New Comedy. His fragments exhibit typical Middle Comedy themes, including mythological parody and depictions of contemporary character types like cooks and parasites, which became staples of the later New Comedy tradition [1, 2]. His successful career and familial connections highlight the professional nature of Attic comedy, and his work contributed to the evolution of the form that directly influenced Menander [1, 2].

Sources 1. Perseus Digital Library, "Philetaerus": http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aentry%3Dphiletaerus-bio-1 2. ToposText, "Philetaerus (Comic Poet)": https://topostext.org/people/1426