Hybrias

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Hybrias (Greek: Ὑβρίας) was a 6th-century BC poet and mercenary from Crete. He is best known for a skolion, or drinking song, called the Spear-song. In the poem, Hybrias makes himself out to be a great warrior and leader. He says he is wealthy in weapons—a spear, a sword, and a fine shield to protect him—and that with these he can work the land and rule his slaves. He portrays those who lack such weapons as bowing and kissing his knee, calling him master and great king. The Spear-song has been preserved by ancient writers such as Athenaeus and Eustathius and in the collection Analecta Veterum Poetarum Graecorum. The article also notes that it incorporates public-domain text from William Smith’s Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.