Antipater of Thessalonica

Who is Antipater of Thessalonica?

Antipater of Thessalonica was the author of over a hundred epigrams in the Greek Anthology. He is the most copious and perhaps the most interesting of the Augustan epigrammatists. He lived under the patronage of Lucius Calpurnius Piso, who appointed him governor of Thessalonica.

There are many allusions in his work to contemporary history:

one celebrates the foundation of Nicopolis by Octavianus, after the battle of Actium

one anticipates his victory over the Parthians in the expedition of 20 BC

one is addressed to Gaius Caesar, who died in AD 4. None can be ascribed securely to a date later than 4.