Arrianus

(Ἀρριανός).

1.A Greek poet who, according to Suidas (s. v.), made a Greek translation in hexameter verse of Virgil's Georgies, and wrote an epic poem on the exploits of Alexander the Great (Ἀλεξανδρίας), in twenty-four rhapsodies, and a poem on Attalus of Pergamus. This last statement is, as some critics think, not without difficulties, for, it is said, it is not clear how a poet, who lived after the time of Virgil, could write a poem on Attalus of Pergamus, unless it was some of the later descendants of the family of the Attali. But it might as well be said, that no man can write a poem upon another unless he be his contemporary. It is, however, not improbable that Suidas may have confounded two poets of the same name, or the two poets Adrianus and Arrianus, the former of whom is known to have written an Alexandrias. [ADRIANUS.]