ARCHILOCHUS, a famous Greek poet and musician, was, according to Herodotus, contemporary with Candaules and Gyges, kings of Lydia, who flourished about the 14th Olympiad, 724 years before Christ. But he is placed much later by modern chronologists; viz. by Blair 686, and by Priestley 660 years, before Christ.
He was born at Paros, one of the Cyclades. His father Telecles was of so high a rank, that he was chosen by his countrymen to consult the oracle at Delphos concerning the sending a colony to Thalos: a proof that he was of one of the most distinguished families upon the island. However, he is said to have fulfilled his birth by an ignoble marriage with a slave called Enipe, of which alliance our poet-musician was the fruit.
Though Archilochus showed an early genius and attachment to poetry and music, these arts did not prevent
Archilo-
chus. vent his going into the army, like other young men of his birth; but in the first engagement at which he was present, the young poet, like Horace, and like our own Suckling, lost his buckler, though he saved his life by the help of his heels. It is much easier, said he, to get a new buckler than a new existence. This pleasantry, however, did not save his reputation; nor could his poetry or prayers prevail upon Lycambes, the father of his mistress, to let him marry his daughter, though she had been long promised to him. After these mortifications, his life seems to have been one continued tissue of disgrace and resentment.
Archilochoi proprio rabies armavit iambo.