A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

(Εὐγάηων), one of the Cyclic poets. He was a native of Cyrene, and lived about B. C. 568, so that he was a contemporary of Peisistratus, Stesichorus, and Aristeas. His poem, which was intended to be a continuation of the Odyssey, and bore the title of Τηλεγονια, consisted of two books or rhapsodies, and formed the conclusion of the epic cycle. It contained an account of all that happened after the fight of Odysseus with the suitors of Penelope till the death of Odysseus. The substance of the poem, which itself is entirely lost, is preserved in Proclus's Chrestomathia. (Comp. Eustath. ad Hom. p. 1796.) As Eugamon lived at so late a period, it is highly probable that he made use of the productions of earlier poets; and Clemens of Alexandria (Strom. vi. p. 751; comp. Euseb. Praep. Evang. 10.12) expressly states that Eugamon incorporated in his Telegonia a whole epic poem of Musaeus, entitled "Thesprotis." Whether the Telegonia ascribed to the Lacedaemonian Cinaethon was an earlier work than that of Eugamon, or whether it was identical with it, is uncertain. The name Telegonia was formed from Telegonus, a son of Odysseus and Circe, who killed his father. (Comp. Bode, Gesch. der Episch. Dichtk. p. 339, &c.)

[L. S.]