Pindar
the great Greek lyric poet; born in or near Thebes, in Bœotia, about 522 B. C. He was of a noble family, PINDAR 目 skilled in music, and learned his father's art of flute playing. At Athens he was a pupil of Lasus of Hermione. Pindar composed choral songs for princes and states in all parts of Greece; for which, as was the custom, he received money and gifts. Yet he did not become a mere hireling, and spoke truth fearlessly to all. He did not live at courts, nor PINDUS PINE MARTEN take part in public affairs. Pindar ex- tivated in Holland. More than 50 variecelled in all varieties of choral poetry, ties have been produced. hymns to the gods, pæans, odes for pro- The plant grows in the S. portion of cessions, drinking songs, etc. But the the United States and in Hawaii. In only poems of his now extant are the "Epinikia, or Triumphal Odes," composed in celebration of victories at the great public games, the Olympian, Pythian, Nemean, and Isthmian. They are marked by an extraordinary variety of style and expression. No two odes have the same meter. Pindar attained the highest renown in his own age, and as a lyrical poet has no rival. When Thebes was destroyed by Alexander, the conqueror spared the house of Pindar.
He died in 443 B. C.