Longus facts for kids
Longus, sometimes spelled Longos (which is Λόγγος in ancient Greek), was an author from ancient Greece. He wrote a famous story called Daphnis and Chloe. We don't know much about his life, like when he was born or when he died.
People think he lived on the island of Lesbos around the 2nd century AD. This island is also where his famous story, Daphnis and Chloe, takes place.
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Who Was Longus?
It's a bit of a mystery! We don't have many facts about Longus himself. Some experts even wonder if "Longus" was his real name.
Was "Longus" His Real Name?
Some people believe the name "Longus" might have come from a misunderstanding of the first words in his book's title. The title in ancient Greek was Λεσβιακῶν ἐρωτικῶν λόγοι. This means "story of a romance from Lesbos." The word λόγοι (meaning "story" or "words") might have been confused with "Longus" over time.
One old copy of the book actually starts and ends with λόγου (which is similar to λόγοι), not λόγγου (which would be "Longus"). This makes the mystery even bigger!
If his name really was Longus, he might have been a freedman. A freedman was someone who was once enslaved but then gained their freedom. He might have taken the name of a Roman family that had "Longus" as part of their name.
His Famous Story: Daphnis and Chloe
Longus is best known for his novel, Daphnis and Chloe. It's a type of story called an ancient Greek novel or Hellenistic romance. These stories were popular in ancient times and often featured love, adventure, and exciting journeys.
Daphnis and Chloe is a charming tale about two young people, Daphnis and Chloe, who grow up together on the island of Lesbos. They are shepherds and fall in love, facing many challenges and adventures along the way.
Other Ancient Greek Writers
Longus was one of several writers who wrote novels in ancient Greece. Here are some others:
- Chariton - He wrote The Loves of Chaereas and Callirhoe.
- Xenophon of Ephesus - He wrote The Ephesian Tale.
- Achilles Tatius - He wrote Leucippe and Clitophon.
- Heliodorus of Emesa - He wrote The Aethiopica.
