Note 152 — Chapter XXIX · LYRIC POETRY. — THE SEVEN WISE MEN.
Reading edition
The chief evidence for the rhythmical and metrical changes introduced by Archilochus is to be found in the 28th chapter of Plutarch, De Musicâ, pp. 1140-1141, in words very difficult to understand completely. See Ulrici, Geschichte der Hellenisch. Poesie, vol. ii, p. 381.
The epigram ascribed to Theokritus (No. 18 in Gaisford’s Poetæ Minores) shows that the poet had before him hexameter compositions of Archilochus, as well as lyric:—
ὡς ἐμμελὴς τ᾽ ἔγεντο κἀπιδέξιος ἐπεά τε ποιεῖν, πρὸς λύραν τ᾽ ἀείδειν
See the article on Archilochus in Welcker’s Kleine Schriften, pp. 71-82, which has the merit of showing that iambic bitterness is far from being the only marked feature in his character and genius.