Theocritus

THEOCRITUS

Theokritos (Θεόκριτος).
Born about 310 BCE in Syracuse.
Died about 250 BCE.
Wikipedia: English, French.
Categories: Works, Idylls, Epigrams.

WORKS

Complete works.
Idylls (Εἰδύλλια | Eidullia) and Epigrams (Ἐπιγράμματα | Epigrammata).
Greek: Bonaccorso da Pisa (1480); — Aldo Manuzio (1495); — Henri Estienne (1566); — Christoph Ziegler (1844; revised in 1867 and 1879); — Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906); Ulrich von Wilamowitz (1906, revised in 1910).
English: The idylls (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Idylles (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Idylles (Leconte de Lisle, 1861, ed. 1869).

 The detailed lists of Idylls and Epigrams below use Christoph Ziegler’s numbering (Theocriti carmina, 1867 and 1879) converted into Arabic numerals. My additional numbers are between square brackets. For questions of authenticity, I have followed Roger James Cholmeley (The Idylls of Theocritus, 1901). The Idylls that can safely be attributed to Theocritus are Nos. 1–18, 22, 24, 26 and 28–30, to which we can add the fragment from the lost Berenice [32]. Idyll No. 25 and Megara [33] are most likely by the same author, but there is no consensus on this author’s identity. There is also debate about Idyll No. 21. The Epigrams that can be attributed to Theocritus with the least uncertainty are Nos. 1, 8, 10, 13, 17–19 and 22.

IDYLLS

1. Thyrsis, or The song.
(Θύρσις ἢ ᾠδή | Thursis ê ôdê).
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: Thyrsis (Matthew James Chapman, 1836; verse); — Thyrsis the shepherd, and the goatherd (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Thyrsis, ou La chanson (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Le pasteur Thyrsis et le chevrier (Leconte de Lisle).

2. The Sorceresses.
(Φαρμακεύτριαι | Pharmakeutriai).
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: Pharmaceutria (Matthew James Chapman, 1836; verse); — The sorceress (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: L’enchanteresse (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — La magicienne (Leconte de Lisle).

3. The serenade.
(Κῶμος | Kômos).
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The goatherd, or Amaryllis, or The serenader (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Amarylle (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Le chevrier, ou Amaryllis (Leconte de Lisle).

4. The herdsmen Battus and Corydon.
(Νομεῖς Βάττος καὶ Κορύδων | Nomeis Battos kai Korudôn).
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The herdsmen, or Battus and Corydon (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Battus et Corydon (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Les pasteurs (Leconte de Lisle).

5. The pastoral poets Comatas and Lacon.
(Βουκολιασταὶ Κομάτας καὶ Λάκων | Boukoliastai Komatas kai Lakôn).
Other title: The goatherd and the shepherd (Αιπολικόν και ποιμενικόν | Aipolikon kai poimenikon).
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The wayfarers, or Composers of pastorals (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Les chantres bucoliques (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Les boucoliastes — Komatas et Lakôn (Leconte de Lisle).

6. The pastoral poets Daphnis and Damoitas.
(Βουκολιασταὶ Δάφνις καὶ Δαμοίτας | Boukoliastai Daphnis kai Damoitas).
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The singers of pastorals (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Damœtas et Daphnis (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Les boucoliastes — Damoitas et Daphnis (Leconte de Lisle).

7. The Thalysia.
(Θαλύσια | Thalusia).
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The Thalysia (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Les Thalysiennes, ou Le voyage fait au printemps (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Les Thalysies (Leconte de Lisle).

8. The pastoral poets Daphnis and Menalcas [I].
(Βουκολιασταὶ Δάφνις καὶ Μενάλκας | Boukoliastai Daphnis kai Menalkas).
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The singers of pastorals (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Daphnis et Ménalque (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Les boucoliastes (Leconte de Lisle).

9. The pastoral poets Daphnis and Menalcas [II].
(Βουκολιασταὶ Δάφνις καὶ Μενάλκας | Boukoliastai Daphnis kai Menalkas).
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The pastor, or The herdsmen (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Daphnis et Ménalque (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Daphnis et Ménalkas (Leconte de Lisle).

10. The husbandmen, or The reapers.
(Ἐργατίναι ἢ Θερισταί | Ergatinai ê Theristai).
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The workmen, or Reapers (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Les moissonneurs (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Les moissonneurs — Milôn et Battos (Leconte de Lisle).

11. The Cyclops.
(Κύκλωψ | Kuklôps).
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: Cyclops (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Le Cyclope (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Le Kyklôps (Leconte de Lisle).

12. The beloved.
(Ἀίτης | Aitês).
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: Aites (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Les deux amis (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — L’ami (Leconte de Lisle).

13. Hylas.
(Ὕλας | Hulas).
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: Hylas (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Hylas (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Hylas (Leconte de Lisle).

14. The love of Cyniska, or Thyonichus.
(Κυνίσκας ἔρως ἢ Θυώνιχος | Kuniskas erôs ê Thuônikhos).
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The love of Cyniska, or Thyonichus (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: L’amour de Cynisca, ou Thyonicus (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — L’amour de Kyniska (Leconte de Lisle).

15. The Syracusan women, or The festival of Adonis.
(Συρακούσιαι ἢ Αδωνιάζουσαι | Surakousiai ê Adôniazousai).
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The Syracusan women, or Adoniazusæ (James Banks [Davies], 1853); — The Adoniazusæ, or The Syracusan women at the festival of Adonis (James Starke, 1866).
French: Les Syracusaines, ou Les fêtes d’Adonis (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Les Syracusaines, ou Les fêtes d’Adônis (Leconte de Lisle).

16. The Charites, or Hiero.
(Χάριτες ἢ Ἱέρων | Kharites ê Hierôn).
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The Graces, or Hiero (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Les Grâces, ou Hiéron (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Les Kharites, ou Hiérôn (Leconte de Lisle).

17. Panegyric of Ptolemy.
(Ἐγκώμιον εἰς Πτολεμαῖον | Egkômion eis Ptolemaion).
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The praise of Ptolemy (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Éloge de Ptolémée (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Éloge de Ptolémaios (Leconte de Lisle).

18. Epithalamium of Helen.
(Ἑλένης ἐπιθάλαμιος | Helenês epithalamios).
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The epithalamium of Helen (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Épithalame d’Hélène (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Épithalame de Héléna (Leconte de Lisle).

19. The stealer of honeycombs.
(Κηριοκλέπτης | Kêriokleptês).
Doubtful ascription.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The stealer of honey-combs (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Le voleur de miel (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Le kèrioklèpte (Leconte de Lisle).

20. The cowherd.
(Βουκολίσκος | Boukoliskos).
Doubtful ascription.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The Herdsman (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Le conducteur de bœufs (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Le Bouvier (Leconte de Lisle).

21. The fishermen.
(Ἁλιεῖς | Halieis).
Uncertain ascription.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The fishermen (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Les pêcheurs (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Les pêcheurs — Asphaliôn et Olpis (Leconte de Lisle).

22. The Dioscuri.
(Διόσκουροι | Dioskouroi).
Other title: Hymn to the Dioscuri (Ύμνος εἰς Διοσκούρους | Humnos eis Dioskourous).
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The Dioscuri (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Les Dioscures (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Les Dioskoures (Leconte de Lisle).

23. The lover.
(Ἐραστής | Erastês).
Doubtful ascription.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The lover, or Love-sick (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: L’amant malheureux (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — L’amant, ou L’insensible (Leconte de Lisle).

24. The little Heracles.
(Ἡρακλίσκος | Hêrakliskos).
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The little Hercules (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Hercule, enfant (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Hèraklès enfant (Leconte de Lisle).

25. Heracles the lion-slayer.
(Ἡρακλῆς λεοντοφόνος | Hêraklês leontophonos).
Uncertain ascription. Same author as Megara.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: Hercules the lion-slayer, or The wealth of Augeas (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Hercule vainqueur du lion, ou La richesse d’Augias (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Hèraklès tueur de lions, ou La richesse d’Augéias (Leconte de Lisle).

26. The Bacchanals, or The Bacchantes.
(Λῆναι ἢ Βάκχαι | Lênai ê Bakkhai).
Doubtful ascription.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The Bacchanals (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Les Bacchantes (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Les Lènaies, ou Les Bacchantes (Leconte de Lisle).

27. The fond discourse.
(Οαριστύς | Oaristus).
Doubtful ascription.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The fond discourse of Daphnis and the damsel (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Entretien de Daphnis et d’une jeune fille (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — Entretien de Daphnis et d’une jeune fille (Leconte de Lisle).

28. The distaff.
(Ἠλακάτη | Êlakatê).
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The distaff (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: La quenouille (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — La quenouille (Leconte de Lisle).

29. The beloved.
(Παιδικά | Paidika).
Other title: Love idyll (Εἰδύλλιον ἐρῶντος | Eidullion erôntos).
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: Loves (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: L’amant (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777); — L’amitié (Leconte de Lisle).

30. The Aeolian beloved.
(Παιδικά Αιολικά | Paidika Aiolika).
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The second love-poem (John Maxwell Edmonds, 1916).

[31.] On the death of Adonis.
(Εἰς νεκρὸν Ἄδωνιν | Eis nekron Adônin).
Doubtful ascription. Formerly No. 30.
English: The death of Adonis (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Sur la mort d’Adonis (Michel Paul Guy de Chabanon, 1777; excerpt); — Sur la mort d’Adônis (Leconte de Lisle).

[32.] From the Berenice.
(Ἐκ τῆς Βερενίκης | Ek tês Berenikês).
Athenaeus, Deipnosophists, VII, 284.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: A fragment from the Berenice (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Fragment de la Béronika (Leconte de Lisle).

[33.] Megara.
(Μεγάρα | Megara).
Uncertain ascription. Formerly ascribed to Moschus.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: Megara (John Maxwell Edmonds, 1916).
French: Mégara, femme de Hèraklès (Leconte de Lisle).

EPIGRAMS

1. These dewy roses...
(τὰ ῥόδα τὰ δροσόεντα | ta rhoda ta drosoenta).
Greek Anthology, VI, 336.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: These dewy roses... (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Anathème aux Muses et à Apollôn (Leconte de Lisle).

2. The fair-skinned Daphnis...
(Δάφνις ὁ λευκόχρως | Daphnis ho leukokhrôs).
Greek Anthology, VI, 177.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: Daphnis the fair-complexioned... (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Anathème à Pan, par Daphnis (Leconte de Lisle).

3. You sleep on a leaf-strewn ground...
(εὕδεις φυλλοστρῶτι πέδῳ | heudeis phullostrôti pedô).
Greek Anthology, IX, 338.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: Daphnis, you sleep... (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Sur Daphnis le chevrier (Leconte de Lisle).

4. Towards this path...
(τήναν τὰν λαύραν | tênan tan lauran).
Greek Anthology, IX, 437.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: When you have turned down yon lane... (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Chevrier, va vers ce lieu... (Leconte de Lisle).

5. Are you willing, before the Nymphs...
(λῇς ποτὶ τᾶν Νυμφᾶν | lês poti tan Numphan).
Greek Anthology, IX, 433.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: Are you willing... (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Symphonie (Leconte de Lisle).

6. Ah, wretched Thyrsis...
(ἆ δειλαῖε τὺ Θύρσι | a deilaie tu Thursi).
Greek Anthology, IX, 432.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: Ah! thou wretched Thyrsis... (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Sur Thyrsis le chevrier pleurant une chèvre qu’un loup a dévorée (Leconte de Lisle).

7. You left an infant son...
(νήπιον υἱὸν ἔλειπες | nêpion huion eleipes).
Greek Anthology, VII, 659. Doubtful ascription. Formerly No. 14.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: An epitaph of Eurymedon (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Épitaphe d’Eurymédôn (Leconte de Lisle).

8. He also came to Miletus...
(ἦλθε καὶ ἐς Μίλητον | êlthe kai es Milêton).
Greek Anthology, VI, 337. Formerly No. 7.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: Upon a statue of Æsculapius (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Sur Nikias le médecin (Leconte de Lisle).

9. O foreigner, the Syracusan...
(ξεῖνε Συρακόσιός | xeine Surakosios).
Greek Anthology, VII, 660. Doubtful ascription. Formerly No. 8.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The epitaph of Orthon (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Épitaphe d’Orthôn (Leconte de Lisle).

10. This to you, O goddesses...
(ὑμῖν τοῦτο θεαὶ | humin touto theai).
Greek Anthology, VI, 338.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: Upon a statue of the Muses (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Sur Xénoklès, qui avait dédié aux Muses un groupe en marbre (Leconte de Lisle).

11. Tomb of Eusthenes...
(Εὐσθένεος τὸ μνῆμα | Eustheneos to mnêma).
Greek Anthology, VII, 661. Doubtful ascription.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: An epitaph on Eusthenes the physiognomist (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Épitaphe d’Eusthénès le physiognômoniste (Leconte de Lisle).

12. Demomeles the chorus leader...
(Δημομέλης ὁ χορηγός | Dêmomelês ho khorêgos).
Greek Anthology, VI, 339.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: Upon a tripod Dedicated to Bacchus by Demotheles (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Sur un trépied consacré à Dionysos par Damotélès (Leconte de Lisle).

13. She is not the common Cypris...
(ἡ Κύπρις οὐ πάνδημος | hê Kupris ou pandêmos).
Greek Anthology, VI, 340.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: Upon an image of the heavenly Aphrodite (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Sur une statue d’Aphrodita Ouranienne (Leconte de Lisle).

14. To citizens and foreigners...
(ἀστοῖς καὶ ξείνοισιν | astois kai xeinoisin).
Greek Anthology, IX, 435. Formerly No. 23.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: This bank allows the same... (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Sur le changeur Kairos (Leconte de Lisle).

15. I will know if you give more to the good ones...
(γνώσομαι εἴ τι νέμεις ἀγαθοῖς πλέον | gnôsomai ei ti nemeis agathois pleon).
Greek Anthology, VII, 658. Doubtful ascription.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: Upon the same [Eurymedon] (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Sur le même [Eurymédôn] (Leconte de Lisle).

16. The girl left untimely...
(ἡ παῖς ᾤχετʼ ἄωρος | hê pais ôkhet aôros).
Greek Anthology, VII, 662. Doubtful ascription.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The girl is gone to Hades... (William Paton, 1917, ed. 1919).
French: Épitaphe de Péristéris (Leconte de Lisle).

17. Watch this statue...
(θᾶσαι τὸν ἀνδριάντα τοῦτον | thasai ton andrianta touton).
Greek Anthology, IX, 599. Formerly No. 16.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: Upon a statue of Anacreon (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Sur une statue d’Anakréôn (Leconte de Lisle).

18. These words are Doric...
(ἅ τε φωνὰ Δώριος | ha te phôna Dôrios).
Greek Anthology, IX, 600. Formerly No. 17.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: Upon Epicharmus (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Sur Épikharmos (Leconte de Lisle).

19. Here lies the poet Hipponax...
(ὁ μουσοποιὸς ἐνθάδʼ Ἱππῶναξ κεῖται | ho mousopoios enthad’ Hippônax keitai).
Greek Anthology, XIII, 3. Formerly No. 21.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: Upon Hipponax, the poet (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Sur Hippônax (Leconte de Lisle).

20. The little one made this for the Thracian woman...
(ὁ μικκὸς τόδʼ ἔτευξε τᾷ Θραΐσσᾳ | o mikkos tod’ eteuxe ta Thraissa).
Greek Anthology, VII, 663. Doubtful ascription. Formerly No. 18.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: The epitaph of Cleita, nurse of Medeius (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Épitaphe de Kleita, nourrice de Mèdéios (Leconte de Lisle).

21. Stop and watch Archilochus...
(Ἀρχίλοχον καὶ στᾶθι καὶ εἴσιδε | Arkhilokhon kai stathi kai eiside).
Greek Anthology, VII, 664. Doubtful ascription. Formerly No. 19.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: Upon Archilochus (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Sur Arkhilokhos (Leconte de Lisle).

22. Of Zeus’s son this man...
(τὸν τοῦ Ζανὸς ὅδʼ ὗμιν υἱὸν ὡνὴρ | ton tou Zanos hod’ humin huion hômêr).
Greek Anthology, IX, 598. Formerly No. 20.
Greek: Roger James Cholmeley (1901, ed. 1906).
English: Upon a statue of Pisander, who composed “The labours of Hercules” (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Sur une statue de Peisandros, auteur de la Hèrakléide (Leconte de Lisle).

[23.] The inscription will say...
(αὐδήσει τὸ γράμμα | audêsei to gramma).
Greek Anthology, VII, 262. Doubtful ascription.
English: The inscription will declare... (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: L’inscription vous dira quel est ce monument... (Félix Dehèque, 1863).

[24.] These offerings to Apollo are ancient...
(ἀρχαῖα τὠπόλλωνι τἀναθήματα | arkhaia tôpollôni tanathêmata).
Greek Anthology, IX, 436. Doubtful ascription.
English: An inscription from Syracuse (William Paton, 1917).
French: Ces statues consacrées à Apollon... (Félix Dehèque, 1863).

[25.] Man, be careful...
(ἄνθρωπε ζωῆς περιφείδεο | anthrôpe zôês peripheideo).
Greek Anthology, VII, 534. Doubtful ascription. Formerly No. 9.
English: Good man, be careful of your life... (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Sur Kléonikos, naufragé à Thasos (Leconte de Lisle).

[26.] The one of Chios is another man...
(ἄλλος ὁ Χῖος | allos ho Khios).
Greek Anthology, IX, 434. Doubtful ascription. Formerly No. 22.
English: An epigram of Theocritus Upon His Own Book (James Banks [Davies], 1853).
French: Il y a un Théokritos de Khios... (Leconte de Lisle).

[27.] The pan flute
(σῦριγξ | surigx).
Greek Anthology, XV, 21.
English: The pipe (William Paton, 1918).
French: L’épouse d’Ulysse... (Félix Dehèque, 1863).

Created on 1 October 2020. Updated on 31 May 2026.