E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Zoilos (Latin, Zoilus.).
The sword of Zoilos. The pen of a critic. Zoilos was a literary Thersi’ts, shrewd, witty, and spiteful. He was nicknamed Home’romastix (Homer’s scourge), because he mercilessly assailed the epics of Homer, and called the companions of Ulysses in the island of Circ “weeping porkers” (“choirid’ia klaionta”). He also flew at Plato, Isoc’rates, and other high game.
s, shrewd, witty, and spiteful. He was nicknamed Home’romastix (Homer’s scourge), because he mercilessly assailed the epics of Homer, and called the companions of Ulysses in the island of Circ
