The Greek Anthology, Volume IV

The Greek Anthology (meaning "Gathering of Flowers") is the name given to a collection of about 4500 short Greek poems, referred to as epigrams, though they are usually not epigrammatic. These were composed by approximately 300 authors. Initially compiled by Meleager of Gadara in the 1st century BCE, known as the "Stephanus" (wreath or garland), the collection was subsequently expanded by Philippus of Thessalonica in the late 1st century CE, followed by additions from Diogenianus in the 2nd century and much later by Agathias of Myrina, creating a compilation called the "Circle".

These works, both those preserved and those lost, were incorporated and arranged according to their content by Constantinus Cephalas in the early 10th century into fifteen books. These are now preserved in a single manuscript housed in the Palatine Library at Heidelberg. The extensive assemblage was rearranged and revised by the monk Maximus Planudes in the 14th century, who also reintegrated epigrams lost from Cephalas's compilation.

The fifteen books of the Palatine Anthology include: I, Christian Epigrams; II, Descriptions of Statues; III, Inscriptions in a temple at Cyzicus; IV, Prefaces of Meleager, Philippus, and Agathias; V, Amatory Epigrams; VI, Dedicatory; VII, Sepulchral; VIII, Epigrams of St. Gregory; IX, Declamatory; X, Hortatory and Admonitory; XI, Convivial and Satirical; XII, Strato's "Musa Puerilis"; XIII, Metrical curiosities; XIV, Problems, Riddles, and Oracles; XV, Miscellanies. Additionally, Book XVI is the Planudean Appendix, featuring Epigrams on works of art.

Some outstanding poets featured are Meleager, Antipater of Sidon, Crinagoras, Palladas, Agathias, and Paulus Silentiarius.

The Loeb Classical Library edition of this work is spread across five volumes.