 Simonides was the son of Leoprepes, and the grandson or descendant of Hylichus.He was born in Ioulis on Ceos (Ἰουλίς, Κέως), the outermost island of the Cyclades.The innermost island, Delos, was the reputed birthplace of Apollo, where the people of Ceos regularly sent choirs to perform hymns in the god's honour.