# Callimachus

> 3rd-century BC Greek poet, scholar and librarian

**Wikidata**: [Q192417](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q192417)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callimachus)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/callimachus

## Summary
Callimachus was a 3rd-century BC Greek poet, scholar, and librarian, best known as the founder of the Library of Alexandria's catalog, the *Pinakes*. His work as a mythographer and Neoteric poet contributed to the cultural and intellectual legacy of ancient Greece.

## Biography
- Born: Circa 305–300 BCE (Cyrene, Libya)
- Nationality: Greek
- Education: Trained in the arts and sciences under the Library of Alexandria
- Known for: Establishing the *Pinakes*, a foundational catalog of the Library of Alexandria
- Employer(s): Library of Alexandria
- Field(s): Poetry, librarianship, mythology

## Contributions
- **Pinakes**: Developed the *Pinakes*, an ancient catalog of the Library of Alexandria, which organized its vast collection of works. This system was a precursor to modern library classification.
- **Aetia**: Authored the epic poem *Aetia*, a work on mythology that contributed to the Neoteric movement in Greek poetry.

## FAQs
**What was Callimachus's primary role in the Library of Alexandria?**
Callimachus served as a librarian and helped establish the *Pinakes*, a catalog system that organized the Library of Alexandria's extensive collection of works.

**What is the *Pinakes*?**
The *Pinakes* was an ancient catalog developed by Callimachus to organize the Library of Alexandria's vast collection of books, serving as an early form of library classification.

**What is Callimachus known for in poetry?**
Callimachus is known for his epic poem *Aetia*, which contributed to the Neoteric movement in Greek poetry and explored themes of mythology.

## Why They Matter
Callimachus's work as a librarian and poet laid the groundwork for the preservation and organization of knowledge in the ancient world. The *Pinakes* influenced later library systems, while his poetic works enriched Greek mythology and literary tradition. His contributions ensure that the Library of Alexandria's vast collection could be systematically accessed and studied, shaping the intellectual legacy of antiquity.

## Notable For
- Founder of the *Pinakes*, a foundational catalog of the Library of Alexandria
- Author of *Aetia*, a significant work in Neoteric poetry
- Pioneer in library classification systems

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Callimachus was born in Cyrene, Libya, around 305–300 BCE. He received his education in the arts and sciences at the Library of Alexandria, where he trained under the guidance of its scholars.

### Career and Librarianship
Callimachus served as a librarian at the Library of Alexandria, where he played a key role in organizing its vast collection of works. His most notable contribution was the development of the *Pinakes*, a catalog system that classified and indexed the library's books. This system was a precursor to modern library classification and ensured that the Library of Alexandria's resources could be systematically accessed and studied.

### Poetry and Mythography
Callimachus was also a poet and mythographer, contributing to the Neoteric movement in Greek poetry. His epic poem *Aetia* explored themes of mythology and was influential in shaping the literary landscape of ancient Greece. His work as a poet and scholar cemented his legacy as a multifaceted intellectual.

### Legacy
Callimachus's contributions to librarianship and poetry left a lasting impact on the ancient world. The *Pinakes* influenced later library systems, while his poetic works enriched Greek mythology and literary tradition. His work as a librarian and scholar ensured that the Library of Alexandria's vast collection could be preserved and accessed for future generations.

## References

1. [Perseus Digital Library](https://catalog.perseus.tufts.edu/catalog/urn:cite:perseus:author.307)
2. Library of the World's Best Literature
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. CiNii Research
6. MusicBrainz
7. Enciclopedia Treccani. 1930
8. Great Russian Encyclopaedia (digital version)
9. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
10. Trismegistos
11. Encyclopædia Universalis
12. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
13. Great Norwegian Encyclopedia
14. datos.bne.es
15. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
16. Integrated Authority File
17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
18. Czech National Authority Database
19. Name and Title Authority File of Catalonia
20. Oxford Classical Dictionary (4th rev. ed.)
21. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Callimachus)
22. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index3.html)
23. CONOR.SI
24. CERL Thesaurus
25. [Source](http://www.maru.firenze.sbn.it/MareMagnum/mare_magnum.htm)
26. LIBRIS. 2012
27. Provenio
28. HMML Authority File
29. Clavis Historicorum Antiquitatis Posterioris