About Semonides of Amorgas: The iambic poet Semonides of Amorgas has long been confused with the lyric poet Simonides of Ceos. Semonides was probably originally from Samos (like Pythagoras). He may have led colonists to the island of Amorgas. Semonides is most famous for a 118-line fragment on women, comparing them most unfavorably with animals. His poetry is described as informal, humorous, and down-to-earth.
Dates: Probably second half of seventh century B.C.
Field: Iambic poetry
Location: Semonides probably came from Samos and settled in Amorgos.
Related Resources: Semonides on the types of women
Semonides Links
Roots of Satire
Iambic Trimeter
Meter in Greek and Latin Poetry
Archaic Greece Timeline
Semonides Links
Roots of Satire
Iambic Trimeter
Meter in Greek and Latin Poetry
Archaic Greece Timeline
References: The Cambridge History of Classical Literature Volume I Part 1 - Early Greek Poetry. Edited by P.E Easterling and B.M.W. Knox. 1989.
