Telestes

Telestes was a Greek dithyrambic poet from Selinus in Sicily, who flourished around 400 BC. He is best known for being mocked by Aristophanes in his play Frogs (405 BC). In Frogs, Aristophanes criticizes Telestes for his effeminate dancing and extravagant gestures during performances of his dithyrambs. While little of his work survives, the references to Telestes in Aristophanes provide valuable insight into the style and performance practices of dithyrambic poetry during the late 5th century BC. He is generally considered part of the "new music" movement which emphasized elaborate melodies and dancing. The specifics of his innovations and their impact are difficult to ascertain due to the limited surviving information.