Sappho

Late 7th Century BC

Sappho • Greek lyrist (wrote her poems

to be performed with a lyre)

• An aristocrat

• Had a daughter named Cleis

Sappho• Plato called her “the tenth Muse,”• Plato praised Sappho for her work,

asking to be taught a song, “Because I want to learn it and die.”

• She is considered to be one of the supreme poets of all time.

• Only fragments of her poems survive today.

•Born on the Greek Island of Lesbos•Sappho led a group of women who followed the goddess Aphrodite.

•They met regularly to write poetry, discuss fashion, and learn proper manners.

• Due to censorship, natural disasters, and neglect, much of her work was lost

• In the late 19th century they found manuscripts dating back to the 8th century AD in Nile Valley

• They found strips of papyrus containing her poetry, from 1st century BC to 10th century AD. They were being used to wrap mummies, stuff animals, and wrap coffins. They’re still being piece together today.

Her work•Her works were very sensual, mainly love songs

•The target of her affections was females

•Her poetry was not condemned in her time, but was later on by scholars.

•Can you think why?

Sappho’s poetry was meant to be sung.

Watch this video that demonstrates what it would like to hear her poetry recited in Ancient Greek

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOlIqozu3Fg

Works Cited

North, Alix. "Sappho circa 630 B.C.." Isle of Lesbos: Poetry of Sappho. Alix North, 1 Jan. 2007. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. <http://www.sappho.com/poetry/sappho.html>.