Pythermus of Ephesus (Πύθερμος ὁ Ἐφέσιος) was an obscure early Greek historian of the late sixth or early fifth century BCE. He is known solely from a brief mention by Dionysius of Halicarnassus, who groups him among the earliest prose writers of history, alongside figures like Cadmus of Miletus and Hellanicus of Lesbos [1]. Dionysius characterizes their works as stylistically primitive, little different from poetry. A native of Ephesus in Ionia, no other biographical details survive.

Works Pythermus is credited with a single historical work, the title of which is lost. The text itself is completely lost, surviving only as a testimonium in Dionysius; no direct fragments are known [1].

Significance Pythermus represents the formative, pre-Herodotean stage of Greek historiography. His citation by Dionysius serves to illustrate the primitive state of early historical prose before it developed into a polished literary art [1]. He is a named example of the first generation of writers who began to record local histories and myths in prose rather than verse.

Sources 1. Dionysius of Halicarnassus, On Thucydides (Perseus Digital Library): https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0580%3Asection%3D5