Praxilla

Praxilla (Greek Πράξιλλα) was a Greek poet in the 5th century BC. From Sikyon . She wrote dithyrambs , most of which are lost. Only one verse in hexameters has survived. She is said to have also written a hymn to Adonis as well as wine and feast poems ( Scolia ). A logaedic meter , the praxilleion , is named after her.

In Antipater's list of ancient Greek poets she is listed first.

Lysipp created a bronze portrait of Praxilla, which was placed in her homeland.

The proverb handed down by Erasmus of Rotterdam in his Adagia “Dumber than the Adonis of Praxilla” (Adagia 2.9.11 “Stupidior Praxillae Adonide”) goes back to the fragment of the hymn to Adonis quoted by Zenobius, in which Adonis was asked what is the most beautiful of all the things that he has left on earth, answers: "The sun, the moon, the cucumbers and the apples." To put the sun and moon on a par with cucumbers seemed ridiculous.

literature

Rudolf Keydell : Praxilla. In: The Little Pauly (KlP). Volume 4, Stuttgart 1972, column 1123.
Paul Kroh: Lexicon of ancient authors (= Kröner's pocket edition . Volume 366). Kröner, Stuttgart 1972, ISBN 3-520-36601-0 , p. 519.
Johann Bohn : Odes and songs in five books . Hamburg 1747, pp. 224-226.

personal data
SURNAME	Praxilla
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Πράξιλλα (Greek)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	Greek writer
DATE OF BIRTH	6th century BC BC or 5th century BC Chr.
DATE OF DEATH	5th century BC BC or 4th century BC Chr.