Theognis of Megara

Greek lyric poet active in approximately the sixth century BC

Lived
569 BC–484 BC
Country
Peloponnesian League

Updated September 2026

About Theognis of Megara

Theognis of Megara was a Greek lyric poet active in approximately the sixth century BC. The work attributed to him consists of gnomic poetry quite typical of the time, featuring ethical maxims and practical advice about life. He was the first Greek poet known to express concern over the eventual fate and survival of his own work and, along with Homer, Hesiod and the authors of the Homeric Hymns, he is among the earliest poets whose work has been preserved in a continuous manuscript tradition.

Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.