Eupolis

, was an Athenian comic poet, who flourished about the year 435 before Christ, in the time of the old comedy. (See Cratinus). His play of “Numeniae” was acted in this year, and his “Flatterers,” about the year 420. Many others of his pieces are known by name, of which only fragments now remain. Of his death various accounts are given. Some say that he was thrown into the sea, by order of Alcibiades, for writing the “Baptae” against him; others, that he was shipwrecked in a military expedition in the Hellespont, which produced, says Suidas, a decree, that no poet should perform military service. He obtained seven prizes in the theatres of Athens. His first drama was produced at the age of seventeen. There are some remarks on this poet in Cumberland’s “Observer,” but which are now known to have been Bentley’s. ³