Epigone
noun.
An inferior imitator, particularly of a writer, musician, or artist.
This word has an interesting derivation. Originally it came from the Greek word “Epigoni” which means “progeny” or “offspring.” There is an early Greek epic called Epigoni that tells the story of the Second Theban War between Thebes and the Greek city-state of Argos. This Second Theban War, also known as the War of the Epigoni, involved the sons of the Argive heroes who were killed in the first Theban War as they attempt to avenge the deaths of their fathers. Hence, the sons were “Epigoni.” They met the same unfortunate fate as their fathers. Sadly, all but the first line of the 7,000 line epic are lost to antiquity: “Now, Muses, let us begin to sing of younger men …. ” There is a later tragedy written by Sophocles also entitled, Epigoni, that has also been lost.
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