Olympias

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Olympias

Ancient Greek painter. Would have flourished long before the birth of Pliny the Elder in 23 ce.

Olympias is mentioned at the end of Pliny the Elder's list of women painters in his Natural History. His notice can be quoted in full: "A certain Olympias also painted; the only fact recorded about her is that Autobulus was her pupil." Neither Olympias nor Autobulus are mentioned in other Classical sources, so it is impossible to add to Pliny's scant information. It is worth comment, however, that Olympias is the only woman on the list who is said to have taught her art, and the fact that her student was a man contrasts interestingly with the training that Aristarete, Irene , and perhaps Timarete are said to have received from their fathers.

Peter H. H. , Boston University