Archilochus, the first writer to use iambic meter, writes invective so sharp as to drive its targets to (reputedly) commit suicide.

His keen observations of nature, society, love, and war inform his poetry with a strong sense of individuality previously absent from Western writings.

Having remained a mercenary, Archilochus later returned to Paros and joined the fight against the neighboring island of Naxos, dying in about 645.

A Naxian warrior named Calondas wins notoriety as the man that killed him, though it had been a fair fight.

The Naxian's fate interested later authors such as Plutarch and Dio Chrysostom, since he was punished by exclusion from the temple of Apollo at Delphi, where he had gone to consult the oracle, the god banishing him with the memorable words: "You killed the servant of the Muses; depart from the temple."