Posidippus of Pella (Ποσείδιππος ὁ Πελλαῖος) was a Hellenistic epigrammatist of the 3rd century BCE. A native of Pella in Macedonia, he was active at the court of Ptolemy II Philadelphus in Alexandria, placing him among the early poets of the Alexandrian school alongside figures like Callimachus [1][2]. An inscription from Thermon may indicate he maintained ties to mainland Greece [1].

His poetry was known primarily from about two dozen epigrams in the Greek Anthology until the 2001 publication of the "Milan Papyrus" (P.Mil.Vogl. VIII 309). This papyrus roll, dated to the late 3rd or early 2nd century BCE, contains over 100 epigrams attributed to Posidippus, organized into thematic sections on stones (lithika), omens (oiōnoskopika), dedications, epitaphs, and equestrian victories [1][3]. This discovery revealed his collected works were far more extensive than previously known.

The Milan Papyrus transformed Posidippus from a minor figure into one of the best-preserved Hellenistic poets, providing a unique snapshot of an early Hellenistic poetry book [1][3]. His work reflects the intellectual culture of the Ptolemaic court, with epigrams notable for their engagement with contemporary art, science, and patronage, exemplifying the learned and polished Hellenistic aesthetic [1][2].

Sources 1. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics: Posidippus: https://oxfordre.com/classics/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.001.0001/acrefore-9780199381135-e-5202 2. Encyclopædia Britannica: Posidippus: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Posidippus 3. The Center for Hellenic Studies, Harvard University: The New Posidippus: A Hellenistic Poetry Book: https://chs.harvard.edu/curated-article/the-new-posidippus-a-hellenistic-poetry-book/