Theognis of Megara — a remark

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“The best of all things for earthly men is not to be born and not to see the beams of the bright sun; but if born, then as quickly as possible to pass the gates of Hades.”

Original: Πάντων μὲν μὴ φῦναι ἐπιχθονίοισιν ἄριστον, μηδ᾽ ἐσιδεῖν αὐγὰς ὀξέος ἠελίου. φύντα δ᾽ ὅπως ὤκιστα πύλας Ἀΐδαο περῆσαι καὶ κεῖσθαι πολλὴν γῆν ἐπαμησάμενον. — A stark expression of Greek pessimism about the burden of mortal existence. · Elegies, lines 425–428 (Greek)

About Theognis of Megara

Theognis of Megara

c. 570 BC–c. 485 BC

In the landscape of ancient Greek poetry, few figures present as fascinating a paradox as Theognis of Megara. A poet whose verses have endured for over two and a half millennia, yet whose life remains shrouded in uncertainty and scholarly debate. The collection of elegiac poetry attributed to him—comprising…

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