Philitas was a Hellenistic poet and critic who lived around 300 BC. It is uncertain how his name is spelled exactly. Φιλίτας (Philítas) was spelling on Kos, but the Doric spelling is Φιλήτας (Philḗtas). The emphasis Φιλητᾶς (Philētâs) did not exist before the Roman Empire. Life
Philitas was born in Kos. In Alexandria, he was a teacher of Ptolemy II Philadelphus and also taught the poets Hermesianax and Theocritus and the grammatic Zenodotus. In 292 BC. he returned to Kos where he led a brotherhood of poets, including Theocritus and Aratus. Philitas was mocked for his thinning. A fool was written that he wore lead in his shoes to not blow away. It was said that an intensive study of the Megaric school shortened its life. His death would ultimately be caused by sleepless nights over the Leugenar paradox. Working
Contemporaries mention five poetic works by Philitas: Hermes (hexameters), Demeter (elegies), Telephus, Paegnia (elegies), and a number of epigrams. His elegances, mostly with an amorous character, were to the glory of his mistress and very popular with the Romans. Philitas is regularly named by Ovidius and Propertius. The latter was a great admirer and preferred Philitas above his rival Callimachus, which more fulfilled the Alexandrian taste. Philitas wrote Ἂτακτοι γλῶσσαι (unordered words), a glossary that explained the meaning of rare or obscure poetic words, including words typical of certain dialects. He also wrote notes to Homer who are heavily criticized. About 50 of his verses have been preserved.
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