Archilochus, the first writer to use iambic…

645 BCE to 634 BCE

Archilochus, the first writer to use iambic meter, writes invective so sharp as to drive its targets to (reputedly) commit suicide.

His keen observations of nature, society, love, and war inform his poetry with a strong sense of individuality previously absent from Western writings.

Having remained a mercenary, Archilochus later returned to Paros and joined the fight against the neighboring island of Naxos, dying in about 645.

A Naxian warrior named Calondas wins notoriety as the man that killed him, though it had been a fair fight.

The Naxian's fate interested later authors such as Plutarch and Dio Chrysostom, since he was punished by exclusion from the temple of Apollo at Delphi, where he had gone to consult the oracle, the god banishing him with the memorable words: "You killed the servant of the Muses; depart from the temple."

Locations
Náxos Island Kikladhes Greece View →

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Archilochus View →

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Polytheism (“paganism”) View → Greece, classical View → Naxos (Ionian Greek) city-state of View →

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Younger Subboreal Period View → Iron Age Europe View → Greek colonization View → Iron Age Cold Epoch View → Classical antiquity View →

Commodities
Weapons View → Grains and produce View → Ceramics View → Strategic metals View → Beer, wine, and spirits View → Land View →

Subjects
Writing View → Environment View → Mayhem View → Faith View → Government View →

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