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MENIPPVS.
MEnippus was a Cynick, a Phoenician by birth, Servant by con∣dition, as Achaicus affirms. Diocles saith, his Father was of Pontus called Bato. Menippus for acquisition of riches wentto Thebes and was made free of that City. He wrote nothing serious, all his books being full of mirth, not unlike the writings of Meleager. Hermippus saith, he was named Hemerodanista, the dayly Usurer, for he put out mony to Merchants upon Interest, and took pawns; at last being cheated of all his goods, he hanged himself.
Some say the Bokes that are ascribed to him were writ by Di∣onysius and Zopyrus, Colophonians, which being ludicrous, they gave to him as a person disposed that way; they are reckoned, thir∣teen.
- Naenia's.
- Testaments.
- Epistles, in the persons of the Gods.
- Two natural Philosophers, Mathematicians & Grammarians.
- Of Epicure.
Laertius reckons six of this name; the first wrote the Lydian sto∣ry, and epitomiz'd Xanthus.
- The second this.
- The third a Sophist, of Caria.
- The fourth a Graver.
- The fifth and sixth Painters, both mention'd by Apollodorus.