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Who was Lasus of Hermione and how might he have influenced Pindar?

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Hear a reading of ancient Greek poet Pindar's first Olympic ode, commissioned by Sicilian prince Hiero — Pindar Pindar's first Olympic ode, its context, and the significance of the victory ode, or epinicion.

Lasus of Hermione was a Greek poet who played a significant role in the development of the dithyramb, a choral song performed in honor of the god Dionysus. During the late 6th century BCE in Athens, Lasus was responsible for officially introducing dithyrambic competitions into the Great Dionysia festival.12

Regarding his influence on Pindar, ancient biographical traditions suggest that Pindar may have traveled to Athens as a young man to refine his poetic education. It is uncertain whether Pindar studied directly under Lasus or if he was influenced by him at second hand. Regardless of the nature of their connection, Lasus’s innovations in the dithyrambic form were foundational to the genre in which Pindar would later excel, as Pindar went on to win first place in the Great Dionysia’s dithyrambic competition at a young age.12