PHILEMON, a Greek dramatist, who stands next to Menander among the poets of the new comedy, was born at Soli in Cilicia about 360 B.C., and settled in Athens at an early age. His career seems to have been singularly prosperous. The lively wit and practical good sense of his plays soon introduced him to popular favour. In many
a dramatic contest, he carried off the palm from his able rival Menander. He continued to write on, free from the troubles and ills of life, until he had produced ninety-seven comedies, and passed beyond the age of ninety. His sunshine even remained till the last, for he is said to have died laughing at a ludicrous incident. The few extant fragments of Philemon's plays are inserted in all the principal editions of Menander. (See MENANDER.)