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Pindar -520 - -448 (72)

Become such as you are, having learned what that is.


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Olympian Ode 1



Pindar was one of the greatest lyric poets of ancient Greece. He was born near Thebes, in the village of Kynos Kefales, around 520 BC. and belonged to an aristocratic family, so he received the best possible education; At a young age he was sent to Athens to expand his spiritual and artistic horizons. Apart from music, he was taught the Pythagorean philosophy. From the age of 18 he started writing, experimenting with all kinds of lyric poetry (hymns, dithyrambs, etc.). He married Megaklea and they had 3 children. In his time the Persian wars took place in which the Thebans chose to remain neutral.

Pindar with his poetry called on the Thebans not to fight against the Persians, as he preffered, like most of the aristocrats, the Persians rather than the democrats Athenians. There were sanctions after the war that Athenians won. Pindar lost his large fortune and was forced to flee to Aegina in self-exile. Later, however, he composed the praise of Athens and gradually his pro-Persian attitude was forgotten, his reputation as a poet prevailed. The period 480-460 was the most fertile for him; he became known throughout Greece, kings, aristocrats, wealthy citizens were ordering humns for their lives or various events. Pindar died in Argos, probably in 448, while attending a theatrical performance. The ancient Greeks had classified his work in 17 volumes, but nowadays a small part has been saved, mainly the "Epinikia".