A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

(Ἄρχιππος), an Athenian comic poet of the old comedy. gained a single prize B. C. 415. (Suidas, s. v.) His chief play was Ἰχθῦς, " the Fishes," in which, as far as can be gathered from the fragments, the fish made war upon the Athenians, as excessive eaters of fish, and at length a treaty was concluded, by which Melanthius, the tragic poet, and other voracious fish-eaters, were given up to be devoured by the fishes. The wit of the piece appears to have consisted chiefly in playing upon words, which Archippus was noted for carrying to great excess. (Schol. in Aristoph. Vesp. 481, Bekker.) The other plays of Archippus, mentioned by the grammarians, are Ἀμφιτρύων, Ἡρακλῆς γαμῶν, Ὄνου σκιά, Πλοῦτος, and Ῥίνων. Four of the lost plays which are assigned to Aristophanes, were by some ascribed to Archippus, namely, Ποίησις, Ναυαγός, Νῆσοι, Νίοβις or Νίοβος. (Meineke, 1.207-210.) Two Pythagorean philosophers of this name are mentioned in the list of Fabricius. (Bibl. Graec. i. p. 831.)

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