Pindar

Little is known about the Greek poet Pindar (Greek: Pindaros). He was probably born in the village of Cynoscephalae near the city of Thebes in Boeotia, central Greece. Ancient sources recount that Alexander the Great later asked for Pindar's house to be saved when his troops sacked Thebes in 335 BCE. Regardless of whether this is true of not, it gives us some idea of his fame. He came from a privileged noble family and was educated at home and in Athens where he was taught lyric poetry and music by the famous Lasos of Hermione, from whom he learned the art of choral odes, the songs that were recited by a chorus in ancient drama or at important events.