Chalcis in a poetical contest; and that he was
robbed of a fair share of his heritage by the unrighteous decision of
judges who had been bribed by his brother Perses. The latter became
afterwards reduced in circumstances, and applied to his brother for
relief; and it is to him that Hesiod addresses his didactic poem of the
'Works and Days,' in which he lays down various moral and social maxims
for the regulation of his conduct and his life. It contains an
interesting representation of the feelings, habits, and superstitions
of the rural population of Greece in the earlier ages. Respecting the
date of Hesiod nothing certain can be affirmed. Modern writers usually
suppose him to have flourished two or three generations later than
Homer.

The commencement of Greek lyric poetry as a cultivated species of
composition dates from the middle of the seventh century before the
Christian era. No important event either in the public or private life
of a Greek could dispense with this accompaniment; and the lyric song
was equally needed to solemnize the worship of the gods, to cheer the
march to battle, or to enliven the festive board. The lyric poetry,
with the exception of that of Pindar, has almost entirely perished, and
all that we possess of it; consists of a few songs and isolated
fragments.

The great satirist ARCHILOCHUS was one of the earliest and most
celebrated of all the lyric poets. He was a native of the island of
Paros, and flourished about the year 700 B.C. His fame rests chiefly
on his terrible satires, composed in the Iambic metre, in which he gave
vent to the bitterness of a disappointed man.

TYRTAEUS and ALCMAN were the two great lyric poets of Sparta, though
neither of them was a native of Lacedaemon. The personal history of
Tyrtaeus, and his warlike songs which roused the fainting courage of
the Spartans during the second Messenian war, have already been
mentioned. Alcman was originally a Lydian slave in a Spartan family,
and was emancipated by his master. He lived shortly after the second
Messenian war. His poems partake of the character of this period,
which was one of repose and enjoyment after the fatigues and perils of
war. Many of his songs celebrate the pleasures of good eating and
drinking; but the more important were intended to be sung by a chorus
at the public festivals of Sparta.

ARION was a native of Methymna in Lesbos, and lived some time at the
court of Periander, tyrant of Cor