ALCIPHRON  ,

Greek rhetorician, was probably a contemporary of Lucian (2nd century A.D.) . He was the author of a collection of fictitious letters, of which 124 (118 complete and 6 fragments) have been published; they are written in the purest Attic dialect and are considered models of style . The scene is throughout at Athens; the imaginary writers are country people, fishermen, parasites and courtesans, who express their sentiments and opinions on familiar subjects in elegant language . The " courtesan " letters are especially valuable, the information contained in them being chiefly derived from the writers of the New Comedy, especially Menander . EDITI0Ns.-Editio princeps (44 letters), 1499; Bergler (1715); Seiler (1856); Hercher (1873); Schepers (1905) . English translation by Monro and Beloe (1791) .