# Menander

> Athenian playwright of New Comedy

**Wikidata**: [Q118992](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q118992)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menander)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/menander

## Summary
Menander was an Athenian playwright of New Comedy, known for his contributions to ancient Greek theater. He is celebrated for writing comedies that were performed at the Lenaia festival in Athens, where he was awarded prizes. His notable works include *Dyskolos*, *Aspis*, *Epitrepontes*, *Misoumenos*, *Perikeiromene*, *Samia*, and *Sikyonioi*.

## Biography
- Born: -342 to -340 BCE (approximate dates)
- Nationality: Athenian (Classical Athens)
- Education: Affiliated with the Peripatetic School
- Known for: Writing comedies in the New Comedy genre
- Employer(s): None (independent playwright)
- Field(s): Literature, Theater

## Contributions
Menander wrote several comedies that were performed at the Lenaia festival in Athens. His works include:
- *Dyskolos*
- *Aspis*
- *Epitrepontes*
- *Misoumenos*
- *Perikeiromene*
- *Samia*
- *Sikyonioi*

These plays were awarded prizes at the Lenaia festival, which was a significant event in ancient Greek theater.

## FAQs
**What genre of plays did Menander write?**
Menander specialized in New Comedy, a genre of literary works intended to be humorous.

**Where were Menander's plays performed?**
His comedies were performed at the Lenaia festival in Athens, a festival of Dionysus.

**What awards did Menander receive?**
Menander was awarded prizes at the Lenaia festival for his comedies.

**Which schools of thought influenced Menander?**
Menander was affiliated with the Peripatetic School, a school of philosophy in Ancient Greece.

## Why They Matter
Menander's contributions to ancient Greek theater are significant because his comedies were performed at a major festival and awarded prizes. His works reflect the development of the New Comedy genre, which was influential in ancient Greek literature. His plays provide insight into the cultural and social aspects of Classical Athens.

## Notable For
- Wrote comedies that were performed at the Lenaia festival in Athens.
- Received awards for his comedies at the Lenaia festival.
- Affiliated with the Peripatetic School of philosophy.
- Authored notable works including *Dyskolos*, *Aspis*, *Epitrepontes*, *Misoumenos*, *Perikeiromene*, *Samia*, and *Sikyonioi*.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Menander was born in Classical Athens, a city-state in ancient Greece. He was educated within the Peripatetic School, a school of philosophy that emphasized ethical and political philosophy.

### Career and Works
Menander is known for his contributions to the New Comedy genre. His comedies were performed at the Lenaia festival, a festival of Dionysus in Athens. He received awards for his works, which included:
- *Dyskolos*
- *Aspis*
- *Epitrepontes*
- *Misoumenos*
- *Perikeiromene*
- *Samia*
- *Sikyonioi*

These plays were significant in ancient Greek theater and reflect the cultural and social aspects of Classical Athens.

### Influence and Legacy
Menander's plays were influential in the development of the New Comedy genre. His works provide insight into the cultural and social aspects of Classical Athens. His affiliation with the Peripatetic School also contributed to his philosophical and ethical perspectives in his writing.

### Notable Achievements
Menander's comedies were awarded prizes at the Lenaia festival, which was a significant event in ancient Greek theater. His works include *Dyskolos*, *Aspis*, *Epitrepontes*, *Misoumenos*, *Perikeiromene*, *Samia*, and *Sikyonioi*, all of which are notable in the history of ancient Greek literature.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Library of the World's Best Literature
3. BnF authorities
4. Oxford Classical Dictionary (4th rev. ed.)
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. CiNii Research
7. [Source](https://opac.sbn.it/opacsbn/opaclib?db=solr_iccu&resultForward=opac/iccu/brief.jsp&from=1&nentries=10&searchForm=opac/iccu/error.jsp&do_cmd=search_show_cmd&item:5032:Nomi::@frase@=CFIV096974)
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Name and Title Authority File of Catalonia
10. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index11.html)
11. CONOR.SI
12. Autoritats UB
13. CERL Thesaurus
14. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
15. Enciclopedia Treccani
16. LIBRIS. 2012
17. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
18. HMML Authority File
19. performing-arts.ch