Why is Hesiod called the father of Greek didactic poetry?

Hesiod is considered the father of Greek didactic poetry primarily because his work shifted the focus of epic-style poetry away from the heroic narratives of Homer toward practical instruction, moral guidance, and the realities of daily life.12

In his poem Works and Days, Hesiod provides a detailed, practical treatise on peasant life, including agricultural advice and the rhythm of the rural calendar. Unlike the heroic epics that celebrated aristocratic achievement, Hesiod’s work serves as a moral homily that advocates for the necessity of honest, persistent labor and justice over hubris and guile.12

Additionally, his other surviving work, the Theogony, functions as a systematic, instructional genealogy of the gods and the creation of the universe. By using the epic form to organize knowledge and impart ethical and practical lessons, Hesiod established the foundation for the didactic genre in Greek literature.2