Arion

Arion (ərĭ`ən), Greek poet, inventor of the dithyramb. He is said to have lived at Periander's court in Corinth in the late 7th cent. B.C. A legend repeated by Herodotus tells how, having been thrown overboard by pirates, Arion was saved by a dolphin charmed by his music.

Bibliography

See A. W. Pickard-Cambridge, Dithyramb, Tragedy, and Comedy (1927, rev. 2d ed. 1966).

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Arion

Semilegendary Greek poet and musician. He lived at Methymna on the island of Lesbos and is identified as the inventor of the dithyramb. He was sailing homeward after a performing tour when the sailors decided to kill him and steal his wealth. After singing a dirge for himself, he jumped overboard, but a dolphin charmed by his music carried him to shore. He reached Corinth before the ship; when the sailors arrived, the ruler Periander forced them to confess and punished them. Arion's lyre and the dolphin were placed in the heavens as the constellations Lyra and Delphinus.

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Arion

fabulous winged horse; offspring of Demeter and Poseidon. [Gk. Myth.: Zimmerman, 31]

See : Horse

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Arion

thrown overboard; carried safely to land by dolphins. [Gk. Myth.: LLEI, I: 323; Br. Lit.: Faerie Queene]

See : Rescue