Greek poet, 8th century B.C., author of Works and Days and the Theogony
Fishburn and Hughes: "A Greek epic poet, a near-contemporary of Homer and author of the Theogony and Works and Days. The Theogony details the history of the gods from their emergence from chaos to the moment when Pandora, the first woman, is entrusted by Zeus with ajar containing all the evils 90 which she will let loose on humanity. The Theme of the Traitor and the Hero: in the Works and Days Hesiod combines the moral teachings of the Theogony with rural precepts: continuing the story of Pandora, he traces the decline of mankind from the golden age through the silver and bronze ages down to the present iron age. The later part describes the various tasks which face the farmer and the appropriate times of year in which to perform them, harmonising the rhythm of nature with that of human life." (89)