The Poets of Old Comedy
ΠΟΛΙΟΧΟΣ
Testimoniai IG ii2 2325.127
Πο[λίοχος] I
ii Lysias 18.13
εὖ δ᾿ οἶδ᾿, ὦ ἄνδρες δικασταί, ὅτι περὶ πλείστου ἂν ποιήσαιτο Πολίοχος τοῦτον τὸν ἀγῶνα κατορθῶσαι, ἡγούμενος αὑτῷ καλὴν εἶναι τὴν ἐπίδειξιν καὶ πρὸς τοὺς πολίτας καὶ τοὺς ξένους, ὅτι Ἀθήνησι τοσοῦτον δύναται, ὥσθ᾿ ὑμᾶς τοὺς αὐτούς, περὶ ὧν ὅρκους ὀμωμόκατε, ὑμῖν αὑτοῖς τὰ ἐναντία ποιεῖν ψηφίζεσθαι.
Poliochus
Poliochus
The name is rare at Athens, with only three documented examples in PAA, two from the early fourth century. Thus it is tempting to identify the comic poet with the prosecutor of Lysias’ speech (T 2). Poliochus’ name is restored on the list of victors at the Lenaea (T 1) before the names of Metagenes, Theopompus, and a poet for whom we have part of his name Pol[. . . . .]s with four victories. The only other Old Comic poet whose name begins in Pol– is Polyzelus, for whom five plays are attested as opposed to one for Poliochus. Thus Polyzelus is more likely to be the latter poet and this earlier one on the list should be restored as Poliochus, whose only victory at the Lenaea came around 400.
Testimoniai [On the list of victors at the Lenaea, c. 400] Po[liochus] 1
ii Men of the jury, I am well aware that Poliochus would consider it a matter of the greatest importance to win this case, believing it to be a fine demonstration both to his fellow citizens and to foreigners, that he has so much power at Athens that he can make you vote to do the opposite of the oaths that you yourselves have sworn.