Philicus of Corcyra (Φιλικος ὁ Κερκυραῖος) was a Hellenistic poet of the 3rd century BCE. He served as a priest of Dionysus and was associated with the court of Ptolemy II Philadelphus in Alexandria, where he was a member of the Pleiad, a group of seven tragic poets [1][2].

Only one of his works survives: a fragmentary Hymn to Demeter composed in choliambs (limping iambics), preserved on a papyrus (P. Berol. 13417) [1][2]. Although credited with composing tragedies as part of the Pleiad, none of these dramas are extant.

His significance stems from his position within the Alexandrian literary milieu, illustrating the integration of religious office, royal patronage, and poetic production. The surviving hymn is notable for its use of choliambs—a meter typically used for satire—in a hymnic context, exemplifying Hellenistic metrical experimentation and providing a rare example of non-hexameter cult poetry from the period [1].

Sources 1. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics (Oxford University Press): https://oxfordre.com/classics/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.001.0001/acrefore-9780199381135-e-5002 2. Perseus Digital Library (Tufts University): https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0104:entry=philicus-bio-1