Theocritus, << thee OK rih tuhs >> (200’s B.C.) was a Greek poet who established the character of Greek pastoral poetry. Pastoral poetry deals with rural themes. Theocritus set the standard for pastoral poetry with his choice of themes, their lively presentation, and their emotional impact.
Thirty complete short poems attributed to Theocritus exist today. Many of these poems, called idyls, re-create conversations or singing contests among herders about such subjects as unreturned love, magic, and epic heroes. Theocritus presented these poems in the form of dialogues, hymns, and short narratives (see Idyl ). His influence can be seen especially in the Eclogues by the Roman poet Virgil.
Theocritus was probably born in Sicily. His search for a patron took him to Alexandria, Egypt. The library there made the city a center of literary activity. Theocritus perfected his writing under the influence of the Alexandrian librarian and poet Callimachus, an advocate of the short, highly polished poem.
