Sappho(650 av. J.-C. — 569 av. J.-C.)

A collection of nine volumes of lyric poems composed by Sappho, organized by genre and theme. This major work established the conventions of Greek lyric poetry and has had a lasting influence on Western literature.

One of the few complete poems by Sappho to have survived, addressed to the goddess of love. The poem conveys the intensity of passionate emotion and remains a masterpiece of ancient lyric poetry.

Fragmentary poems celebrating intimate relationships, particularly friendship among women and feelings of love. These works revolutionized poetry by foregrounding the authentic expression of personal emotions.

Poetic compositions written for wedding ceremonies, noted for their delicate lyricism and musicality. These epithalamia shaped the tradition of the wedding poem in later literature.

Sappho founded and led a community of poets on the island of Lesbos, dedicated to the study of poetry and music. This institution trained many poets and stands as a major cultural achievement of the ancient world.

Deathless Aphrodite of the spangled mind, daughter of Zeus, who tangles lures, I beg you, do not break my spirit with grief and bitterness, but come here to me — as once before you heard my voice calling from afar.

He seems to me equal to the gods, that man who sits across from you and listens close to your sweet speaking and lovely laughter. At that, my heart in my chest is shaken.

Some say an army of horsemen is the finest thing on the dark earth, some say infantry, some a fleet of ships. But I say it is whoever one loves.

Sappho of Mytilene, most illustrious poetess, has been admired throughout all ages — and is still admired by scholars today — for the excellence and originality of her lyric poems.

Capital of the island of Lesbos, where Sappho was born and lived. This city was the cultural and political heart of the island, the place where she composed most of her lyric poems and led a community of young women.

Sappho's homeland, located off the coast of Greek Asia Minor. The island inspired much of her poetic work and has become inseparable from her name, giving rise to the term 'lesbian lyric poetry'.

A Sicilian city where Sappho is said to have been exiled during a period of political unrest on Lesbos. She reportedly stayed there before returning to Mytilene.

A temple dedicated to the god Apollo in Mytilene, connected to Sappho's religious and cultural life. Archaic Greek poets maintained important ties with civic religious cults.

Although Sappho lived long before Plato, her work was studied and celebrated in ancient Greek schools. She was counted among the nine canonical women poets of Greek antiquity.

The place where many fragments of Sappho's work were preserved as papyri in the Library of Alexandria. These archaeological discoveries have allowed scholars to partially reconstruct her poems.