eul_aid: euq
Ἀνώνυμος ἔπος Μεροπίς
Epic: Meropis Anonymous
1 work

The Meropis is an anonymous Greek epic poem from the 4th century BCE. Its author is entirely unknown, and the work survives only as a single brief fragment and a few references. Composed in traditional epic meter, the poem belongs to a tradition of parody.

The surviving fragment describes the hero Heracles in a comically gluttonous manner, showing him consuming an entire ox and a giant pie meant for a whole village. This treatment deliberately mocks the serious style of heroic epic. Modern scholars suggest the poem's title likely connects to the mythical Meropes, a people often associated with giants or a fantastical land, a fitting subject for a parody about Heracles.

The Meropis is significant for demonstrating the range of ancient epic poetry, which extended beyond serious heroic tales to include humor and satire. Its existence highlights the diversity of literary culture in the Classical period.

Available Works

Μηροπίδος Ἀποσπάσματα
Meropis Fragments
15 passages