Cercops

Cercops (Greek: Κέρκωψ) was one of the oldest Orphic poets. He was called a Pythagorean by Clement of Alexandria, which might have meant a Neopythagorean.[1] Cicero, was said by Epigenes of Alexandria to have been the author of an Orphic epic poem entitled "the Descent to Hades" which seems to have been extant in the Alexandrian period.[2][1] Others attribute this work to Prodicus of Samos, or Herodicus of Perinthus, or Orpheus of Camarina.[3]

Not to be confused with Cecrops, two mythical kings of Athens.

Epigenes also assigns to Cercops the Orphic ἱερος λογός which was ascribed by some to Theognetus of Thessaly, and was a poem in twenty-four books.[1]

The book The works of Aristotle (1908, p. 80 Fragments) mentioned.[4]

Aristotle says the poet Orpheus never existed; the Pythagoreans ascribe this Orphic poem to a certain Cercon (which likely means Cercops).

Notes

1. Clement of Alexandria, Stromata, i.
2. Cicero De Natura Deorum i. 38
3. Suda, Orpheus.
4. Aristotle; Ross, William David (1877); Smith, John Alexander (1863-1939) (1908). The works of Aristotle. p. 80.

References

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870). "Cercops". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.