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

a painter, the disciple of Apelles, who addressed to him a work upon painting. At least so we understand the somewhat ambiguous passage of Pliny (Plin. Nat. 35.10. s. 36.23), "Apellis discipulus Perseus, ad qwuetm de hae arte scripsit," which is generally understood to mean the converse, namely, that Perseus wrote upon painting to Apelles. Their former interpretation is, we think, more strictly grammatical; also. it was more nattiural and usual for a great master to write a work for the instruction of a favonrite pupil, than for a pupil to inscribe a work to his master ; and, above all, the name of Perseus does not occur as a writer on painting, either in Pliny's lists of his authorities, or elsewhere, whereas it is well known that Apelles wrote upon his art. Perseus must have flourished about Ol. 118, B. C. 308.

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