Life Simylus is identified as a 4th-century BCE elegiac poet, but no direct biographical information about this figure exists in ancient sources. The name appears elsewhere: Menander mentions a character named Simylus in his comedy Dyskolos [1]. The 10th-century Byzantine encyclopedia, the Suda, records several individuals named Simylus, including a 3rd-century BCE comic poet and a writer of parodies, but does not attest an elegiac poet from the earlier Classical period [2].

Works No elegiac fragments are recorded for Simylus. The Suda attributes a work titled Paidia (“Play” or “Amusement”) to a Simylus, but specifies this individual as a writer of parodies, not an elegiac poet [2]. The two works suggested by later metadata remain unidentified in primary sources.

Significance The figure of "Simylus the Elegiac Poet" from the 4th century BCE lacks direct attestation in surviving ancient literature and standard modern reference works. His historical significance and literary influence cannot be established. The name is known only from other contexts, primarily comedy and parody.

Sources 1. Perseus Digital Library: Menander, Dyskolos, line 432. http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0080%3Acard%3D432 2. Suda Online, entry for Simylus (Sigma, 433). http://www.stoa.org/sol-entries/sigma/433