The Idylls, Epigrams, and Epitaphs

Theocritus of Syracuse (born c. 300 BCE,—died after 260 BCE) is remembered as the creator of ancient Greek bucolic poetry, though little is known of his life outside of his writings. He was probably born in Syracuse, in Italy, and lived for a time in Alexandria when he gained the patronage of Ptolemy Philadelphus. This lyric and pastoral poet wrote what was termed eidyllia ("idylls"), which means "little poems," that reflected the love he felt for his homeland. Theocritus was quite innovati...