Arctinus of Miletus Arctinus of Miletus Arctinus of Miletus or Arctinus Milesius () was a Greek epic poet whose reputation is purely legendary, as none of his works survive. Traditionally dated between 775 BC and 741 BC, he was said to have been a pupil of Homer. Phaenias of Eresus placed him in the 7th century BC and claimed that he was defeated by Lesches of Pyrrha in competition. One of the "cyclic poets", Arctinus composed the epics "Aethiopis" and "Sack of Troy", which were contributions to the Trojan War cycle, and possibly "Naupactia". These poems are lost, but an idea of the
Troy VII city circuit wall, which was found after excavation to be a ditch, enclosed a much larger area suggesting a city "at least ten times larger than earlier excavators — and thus the broader public — had supposed". The site remained inhabited following the destruction of Troy VIIa. Troy VIIb dates to a time when Greek influence began to extend to the area (the "Greek Dark Ages"). Troy VIIb (ca. 1120 BC) and Troy VIIb (ca. 1020 BC) appear to have been destroyed by fires. Troy VIIb was deserted in the mid-10th century BC, and the site remained uninhabited for more