Dionysius Periegetes
Ancient Greek poet

Dionysius Periegetes

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Ancient Greek poet
Gender:
Male
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Birth:
290(Alexandria, Egypt)
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Introduction

Dionysius Periegetes (Greek: Διονύσιος ὁ Περιηγητής, literally Dionysius the Voyager or Traveller, often Latinized to Dionysius Periegeta), also known as Dionysius of Alexandria or Dionysius the African, was the author of a description of the then-known world in Greek hexameter verse. He is believed to have been from Alexandria and to have lived around the time of Hadrian (r. 117–138 CE), though some date his lifetime as late as the end of the 3rd century.

The work enjoyed popularity in ancient times as a schoolbook. It was translated into Latin by Rufius Festus Avienus, and by the grammarian Priscian. Archbishop Eustathius of Thessalonica wrote a commentary on his work for John Doukas.

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