active 4th century Smyrnaeus Quintus

Quintus Smyrnaeus, also known as Quintus of Smyrna, was a Greek epic poet remembered for the Posthomerica, a long poem that continues the story of the Trojan War after the end of Homer’s Iliad. The work was important for preserving later epic storytelling about events such as the death of Achilles, the fall of Troy, and the return of the Greek heroes.

Very little can be said with confidence about his life. Traditional accounts connect him with Smyrna, and many reference works place him in the later 4th century CE, though scholars have debated the date. Because the surviving evidence is limited, he is known far more through his poem than through any secure biographical details.

For modern readers, Quintus is interesting as a bridge between the classical Homeric world and later Greek literature. His poetry shows how deeply Homer still shaped literary culture centuries later, while also offering a fuller version of the Trojan legend than the Iliad alone.