Theognis

(also Theognis of Megara). Flourished in the second half of the sixth century B.C. Greek lyric poet.

An aristocrat, Theognis took part in the political struggle and spent much of his life in exile. Two books of didactic verse attributed to him, the Elegies to Cyrnus, have been preserved. Theognis’ world view is dominated by the cult of family valor, hatred of the victorious “rabble,” and a thirst for wealth and power. Because, however, of the elegies’ traditional injunctions to honor the gods and one’s ancestors, he enjoyed considerable popularity in antiquity.