Androtio ̄n’s Atthis, chief source for A’ Athenian Constitution and Philokhoros’ Atthis,
was a standard work on Attic history until Philokhoros’ Atthis surpassed it.
The authenticity of the Geo ̄rgikon (composed in one book) ascribed to Androtio ̄n (also to
the otherwise unknown figures Philippos or He ̄ge ̄mo ̄n: F75) has been doubted, but the
work’s content suits our knowledge of Androtio ̄n’s character. Furthermore, an agricultural
work was also assigned to Androtio ̄n’s predecessor K, although Kleide ̄mos’ work
was more theoretical than Androtio ̄n’s technical and practical Geo ̄rgikon. Tree culture
received thorough treatment. Athe ̄naios cites Androtio ̄n’s Geo ̄rgikon on kinds of fig trees
(F75), apple trees (F77) and pears (F78). T (F81) refers to Androtio ̄n’s rec-
ommendation that olive and myrtle trees need the most pruning to promote growth and
fruitfulness; olive, myrtle and pomegranate trees also need the most pungent manure, the
heaviest watering, and the most complete pruning to avoid any underground disease (HP
2.7.2–3). Theophrastos (F82) also cites Androtio ̄n’s view of the sympathy between olive
and myrtle trees, which entwine their roots so the myrtle’s fruit becomes tender and sweet
when the olive shelters it from sun and wind (CP 3.10.4). The story (F76) of the Titan
Sykeus, which (according to Athe ̄naios) the grammarian Trupho ̄n in his plant history says
was recorded in Androtio ̄n’s Geo ̄rgikon, looks to be Hellenistic, but from this we should not
regard the Geo ̄rgikon as a forgery (as did Wellmann).
FGrHist 324 F75–82; F. Jacoby, Atthis (1949); P.E. Harding, Androtion and the Atthis (1994); OCD3 89, P.E.
Harding; BNP 1 (2002) 690, K. Meister.
Maria Marsilio
Ankhialos (ca 135 – 105 BCE)
Named by P R with K as the best astrologers of his time:
they did not practice predictive astrology (C, Div. 2.88), perhaps instead focusing on
signs indicating divine will. A rare name (usually with gamma), cited in the feminine at
Samos (5th c. BCE) and variously spelled, especially at Boio ̄tia (Ankhialos with gamma or
nu, plus -aros or -alis: 5th c. BCE – 2nd c. CE: LGPN).
RE S.3 (1918) 99, W. Kroll.
GLIM
M. Annaeus Lucanus (60 – 65 CE)
Born at Cordoba on 3 November 39 CE, studied in Rome and learned Stoic philosophy
under his uncle L. A S and L. Annaeus Cornutus. In 60 CE he was nomin-
ated quaestor by Nero, but in 65 CE joined the conspiracy of C. Calpurnius Piso and was
arrested with the other conspirators. Having received the order to kill himself, he cut his
veins and died reciting verses in which he described the similar death of a soldier (T,
Ann. 15.70). He wrote several lost poetic works: Iliacon (on the end of the Trojan war, to the
death of Hector and the ransom of his corpse); Catachthonion (a description of a journey in
the Underworld); Saturnalia; Epistulae ex Campania; De incendio urbis; Orpheus; 14 fabulae salticae;
epigrams; Medea (an unfinished tragedy). He was also the author of two Controuersiae, one for
Octauius Sagitta and the other against him.
His best known works are the Siluae and the Bellum Ciuile (Pharsalia) in 10 books. In the
latter he wanted to show his own negative vision of the civil war and the horrors caused
by it. In Books I–III he recounts Roman history from the crossing of the Rubicon to
M. ANNAEUS LUCANUS