ALCIPHRON, Greek rhetorician, was probably a contem porary of Lucian (2nd century A.D.). He was the author of a col lection of fictitious letters, of which 124 (I 18 complete and six 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 "cour tesan" letters are especially valuable, the information contained in them being chiefly derived from the writers of the New Comedy, especially Menander.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.—Editio princeps (44 letters) (1499) ; S. Bergler Bibliography.—Editio princeps (44 letters) (1499) ; S. Bergler (1715) ; Eng. trans. by T. Monro and W. Beloe (1791) ; E. E. Seiler (1856) ; R. Hercher (1873) ; M. A. Schepers (19o5) ; F. A. Wright (1923) . A German trans. of Hetarenbrief e, by A. W. Plank' (Munchen, 1925).