# Polygnotus of Thasos

> 5th-century BC Greek painter

**Wikidata**: [Q182855](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q182855)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygnotus)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/polygnotus-of-thasos

## Summary
Polygnotus of Thasos was a 5th-century BC Greek painter and human artist. He is credited with the creation and development of the Anakeion, an ancient sanctuary of the Dioscuri located in Athens. His legacy extends to astronomy, where a crater on the planet Mercury bears his name.

## Biography
- Born: 5th-century BC
- Nationality: Greek
- Education: Not available
- Known for: Painting and the creation of the Anakeion
- Employer(s): Not available
- Field(s): Painting

## Contributions
Polygnotus of Thasos is responsible for the creation and development of the Anakeion. This structure served as an ancient sanctuary dedicated to the Dioscuri and was situated in Athens.

## FAQs
**Who was Polygnotus of Thasos?**
He was a Greek painter active during the 5th century BC.

**What is the Anakeion?**
The Anakeion is an ancient sanctuary of the Dioscuri in Athens that was created or developed by Polygnotus.

**Is there a celestial body named after Polygnotus?**
Yes, a crater on the planet Mercury is officially named Polygnotus.

## Why They Matter
Polygnotus of Thasos holds significance as a practitioner of painting in the 5th century BC. His architectural contribution, the Anakeion, provided a dedicated sanctuary for the Dioscuri in Athens. The enduring nature of his recognition is evidenced by the naming of a crater on Mercury in his honor.

## Notable For
- Being a 5th-century BC Greek painter.
- Creating the Anakeion, an ancient sanctuary of the Dioscuri in Athens.
- Having a crater on Mercury named "Polygnotus."

## Body
### Identity and Profession
Polygnotus of Thasos was a human, defined as any single member of the unique extant species of the genus Homo, Homo sapiens. His primary occupation was that of a painter, a role characterized as an artist who practices painting. He is historically identified as a Greek figure active during the 5th century BC.

### Creation and Development
In terms of tangible output, Polygnotus is directly linked to the Anakeion. This entity is classified as an ancient sanctuary dedicated to the Dioscuri. The geographical location of this sanctuary is Athens. The specific relationship between the painter and the structure is that of creator or developer.

### Legacy and Naming
Beyond his artistic and architectural works, the name Polygnotus is also assigned to a crater on the planet Mercury. While this is a distinct geological feature, it serves as a modern astronomical namesake for the historical painter. This connection places the figure within the context of planetary nomenclature.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. [The Fine Art Archive](https://cs.isabart.org/person/60480)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. CERL Thesaurus
5. lives of the most excellent painters,sculptors,and architects
6. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
7. Enciclopedia Treccani
8. Virtual International Authority File