The Hephaestion mentioned by Suidas wrote versified manuals on grammatical subjects.
Manual on Metersμέτρων ΠεδισμοίSuidas, who mentions several works besides, speaks of one entitled
μέτρων Πεδισμοί, which is believed to be the same as the
Ἐγχειρίδιον περὶ μέτρων, which has come down to us under
the name of Hephaestion, and is a tolerably complete manual of Greek metres, forming, in
fact, the basis of all our knowledge on that subject. This little work is of great value,
not only on account of the information it affords us on the subject it treats of, but also
on account of the numerous quotations it contains from other writers, especially poets.
Editions
The first edition of this Enchiridion appeared at Florence, 1526, 8vo., together
with the Greek grammar of Theodorus Gaza. It was followed by the editions of
Hadr. Turnebus (Paris, 1553, 4to., with some Greek scholia), and of J.
Corn. de Pauw. (Traject. ad Rhen. 1726, 4to.)
The best edition is that of Th. Gaisford (Oxford, 1810, 8vo., reprinted at Leipzig,
1832, 8vo.)
Translations
There is an English translation of it with prolegomena and notes by Th. Foster
Barham, Cambridge, 1843, 8vo.