Quintus Smyrnaeus

Quintus Smyrnaeus was a Greek epic poet of the late third or early fourth century AD. He tells us that he began composing verse while tending sheep near Smyrna — an obvious echo of Hesiod.

His Posthomerica (Fall of Troy) in fourteen books fills the gap between the Iliad and the Odyssey — from the death of Hector to the departure of the Greeks. It covers the death of Achilles, the contest for his arms, the wooden horse, the sack of Troy, and the Greeks' return.

The poem is a conscious and skilful imitation of Homer. Quintus is not Homer, but he is more accomplished than his obscurity suggests. The Posthomerica is our most complete ancient account of the events between the Iliad and Odyssey, drawing on the lost poems of the Epic Cycle.