Crinagoras of Mytilene facts for kids

Crinagoras of Mytilene, also known as Crinogoras or Krinagoras (his Greek name was Κριναγόρας ὁ Μυτιληναῖος), was an important Greek poet and ambassador. He lived from about 70 BC to 18 AD. Crinagoras spent time in Rome as a poet for the emperor's court, writing many short, clever poems called epigrams.

Early Life and Family

Crinagoras was born on the Greek island of Mytilene. His family was well-known and respected there. He grew up in the capital city, which was also called Mytilene. We know he had at least one brother named Eucleides.

Life in Rome

Crinagoras lived at the same time as the famous Greek geographer Strabo. Strabo even mentioned Crinagoras as an important person. Records found in Mytilene show that Crinagoras was sent as an ambassador (a representative from his city) to Rome in 45 BC and again in 26 BC.

During the rule of the first Roman Emperor Augustus, Crinagoras lived in the emperor's court as a poet. While in Rome, he wrote many epigrams that talked about Augustus's time as emperor. He also wrote poems dedicated to the Roman gods. People thought Crinagoras had a true poetic talent in his writing.

Crinagoras's Poems

Crinagoras wrote 51 epigrams, which are short, witty poems. These poems can be found in a collection called the Greek Anthology. In some of his epigrams, Crinagoras joked about himself. Others were small gifts for the children of his wealthy Roman friends.

He sent poems to several important people:

• He sent an epigram to Augustus's nephew, Marcus Claudius Marcellus. With this poem, he also sent a copy of poems by another Greek poet named Callimachus. Later, Crinagoras sent Marcellus another epigram after he returned from a war.
• He also sent poems to Tiberius, who would later become emperor. Crinagoras congratulated Tiberius on his military victories in Armenia and Germany.
• Another poem was sent to Augustus's niece, Antonia Minor.

In one epigram, Crinagoras described a sea journey he took from Asia to Italy. On his way, he visited islands like the Cyclades and Corfu.

Poem for Cleopatra Selene II

One of Crinagoras's most famous epigrams is believed to be a tribute to Cleopatra Selene II. She was a Greek princess from the Ptolemaic dynasty and later became a Roman client queen of Mauretania. The poem says:

The moon herself grew dark, rising at sunset,

Covering her suffering in the night,

Because she saw her beautiful namesake, Selene,

Breathless, descending to Hades,

With her she had had the beauty of her light in common,

And mingled her own darkness with her death.

Crinagoras wrote this poem as if a moon eclipse happened when Selene died at sunset. However, it's also possible he was using a poetic metaphor (a way of describing something by comparing it to something else) for her death, playing on the word "Selene," which means moon. Some historians think this poem might have been written during his first visit to Rome in 45 BC and could refer to a different princess named Cleopatra II Selene.

See also

In Spanish: Crinágoras para niños