Pindar, though the contemporary of Simonides, was considerably his junior. He was born either at, or in the neighborhood of Thebes in Baeotia, about the year 522 B.C. Later writers tell us that his future glory as a poet was miraculously foreshadowed by a swarm of bees which rested upon his lips when he was asleep, and that this miracle first led him to compose poetry. He commenced his profesional career at an early age, and soon acquired so great a reputation, that he was employed by various states and princes of the Hellenic race to compose choral songs. - Smith, 1882