Theon (1st century BC)
Encyclopedia
Theon of Alexandria
was a grammarian who taught at Rome in the reigns of the emperors Augustus
and Tiberius
, and was succeeded by Apion
. He was the son of the grammarian Artemidorus of Tarsus, and the head of the school at Alexandria.
Theon was the author of a Lexicon to the Greek comedians , which is quoted by Hesychius
in the Prooemium to his own Lexicon. It is doubtful whether he was the author of the comic lexicon quoted by the Scholiast to Apollonius Rhodius. He is one of the authors from whose works the Scholia to Aristophanes
were derived. A Commentary on the Odyssey by a certain Theon is quoted in the Etymologicum Magnum
. In one of the Scholia on Aristophanes, (the authenticity of which is debated) Theon is mentioned as one of the commentators on Apollonius Rhodius. It is possible, however, that one or both of these Commentaries on Homer
and Apollonius, should be assigned to Aelius Theon
, also of Alexandria.
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
was a grammarian who taught at Rome in the reigns of the emperors Augustus
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
and Tiberius
Tiberius
Tiberius , was Roman Emperor from 14 AD to 37 AD. Tiberius was by birth a Claudian, son of Tiberius Claudius Nero and Livia Drusilla. His mother divorced Nero and married Augustus in 39 BC, making him a step-son of Octavian...
, and was succeeded by Apion
Apion
Apion , Graeco-Egyptian grammarian, sophist and commentator on Homer, was born at the Siwa Oasis, and flourished in the first half of the 1st century AD....
. He was the son of the grammarian Artemidorus of Tarsus, and the head of the school at Alexandria.
Theon was the author of a Lexicon to the Greek comedians , which is quoted by Hesychius
Hesychius
Hesychius , may refer to:*Hesychius of Alexandria, lexicographer*St. Hesychius of Cazorla, saint, martyr, and bishop*Hesychius of Jerusalem, presbyter and exegete*Hesychius of Sinai, hieromonk and Byzantine author*Hesychius of Antioch...
in the Prooemium to his own Lexicon. It is doubtful whether he was the author of the comic lexicon quoted by the Scholiast to Apollonius Rhodius. He is one of the authors from whose works the Scholia to Aristophanes
Aristophanes
Aristophanes , son of Philippus, of the deme Cydathenaus, was a comic playwright of ancient Athens. Eleven of his forty plays survive virtually complete...
were derived. A Commentary on the Odyssey by a certain Theon is quoted in the Etymologicum Magnum
Etymologicum Magnum
Etymologicum Magnum is the traditional title of a Greek lexical encyclopedia compiled at Constantinople by an unknown lexicographer around 1150 AD. It is the largest Byzantine lexicon and draws on many earlier grammatical, lexical and rhetorical works...
. In one of the Scholia on Aristophanes, (the authenticity of which is debated) Theon is mentioned as one of the commentators on Apollonius Rhodius. It is possible, however, that one or both of these Commentaries on Homer
Homer
In the Western classical tradition Homer , is the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, and is revered as the greatest ancient Greek epic poet. These epics lie at the beginning of the Western canon of literature, and have had an enormous influence on the history of literature.When he lived is...
and Apollonius, should be assigned to Aelius Theon
Aelius Theon
Aelius Theon was an Alexandrian sophist and author of a collection of preliminary exercises for the training of orators. He probably lived and wrote in the mid to late 1st century AD and his treatise is the earliest treatment of these exercises...
, also of Alexandria.