Sappho

• Where was Sappho from?

  Lesbos (Greek island)
• When was Sappho born and when did she die?

  • Born: 630 BC
  • Died: 570 BC
• How many papyrus rolls did Sappho's work fill and in which library?

  • 9 papyrus rolls
  • Alexandria Library
• What was Lesbos known for in the Ancient world?

  • Important for trade
  • Beautiful women
• When was Sappho mainly writing?

  Late 7th century BC
• What was the political system of Lesbos?

  Tyranny -> no more kings, just elected leaders called tryants
• How many Greek dialects were there and which one did Sappho speak?

  • 3
  • Aeolic
• Where were poetic performances often held on Lesbos? What else happened here?

  • Cult centre on island -> Messon
  • Worship, political discussion, a beauty contest
• What did Aristotle say about Sappho?

  She was celebrated 'even though she was a woman'
• Which instruments did Sappho play?

  • Lyre
  • Pektis
  • She used the mixolydian mode
• Where are fragments of Sappho's poems often found?

  Private collections
• What did Plato say about Sappho?

  She was the 10th Muse
• What do the fragments in her poetry create for readers?

  • Opportunity to pursue different meanings/interpretations
  • Edith Hall
• Who wrote about Sappho's poetry in grammar books?

  Longinus + Dionysus of Halicarnassus
• What was Sappho's daughter called? How did Sappho describe her?

  • Kleis
  • As beautiful as 'golden flowers'
• What word does Sappho use that could refer to either her daughter or a younger female lover?

  Pais
• What was Sappho's mother's name?

  Kleis
• Who were Sappho's brothers?

  • Charaxus
  • Larichus
  • Eurygius
• What was Sappho's brother, Charaxus, known for?

  His relationship with Egyptian courtesan named Doricha
• Who was Sappho's supposed husband? Why is it unlikely that he was real?

  • Referred to as Kerkylas, a man from Andros
  • Kerkylas = slang for 'penis', Andros = 'manly' / 'masculine' -> Sappho the homosexual poet's husband was called 'Penis from Man Island'
• Where does Sappho appear in the British Museum? Why is this unusual?

  • Coins from 2nd century BC
  • Women not usually featured on coins for their own achievements
• Where else has Sappho been depicted?

  • Pots
  • e.g. reading papyrus on water jug (inaccurate as alphabetical writing invented after her death)
• What percentage of Sappho's work does not survive?

  • 97%
  • Only 2 complete poems