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Choerilus

Literary Character
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

An early Greek epic poet (6th century BCE), among the first to compose post-Homeric narratives, though most works are lost.

Detailed Definition
Choerilus of Samos wrote an epic on the Persian Wars, praised by Herodotus but now lost. He represents the early attempt to historicize epic poetry. In poetry, he appears as a footnote to Homeric tradition—symbolizing the transition from mythic to historical epic—and is invoked to reflect on the evolution of poetic authority and subject matter.
Example
Example in poetry:
Choerilus of Samos (epic poet) is cited by ancient critics as creating heroic characters in a post-Homeric style; Though his work survives only in fragments, he represents the Hellenistic attempt to renew epic characterization; Later references to Choerilus in Horace critique poetic ambition through his character as cautionary example; His inclusion in ancient lists of poets makes him a meta-literary character in poetic genealogies.
Additional Notes
Choerilus, an early Greek epic poet, is now known only through fragments and ancient critiques; his literary significance lies in his role as a transitional figure between Homeric epic and later historiographic poetry, illustrating how heroic character evolves toward historical realism.
Also Known As
Choirilos
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