Sappho - Selected Poems

Sappho (630 BC–570 BC), translated by Theodoridis, George (contributor-contact-email)

Sappho, an Archaic Greek poet from Lesbos, was renowned for her lyric poetry, composed for musical accompaniment. Celebrated as one of history’s finest lyric poets, her work, believed total around 10,000 lines, survives mostly in fragments, with the exception of the complete Ode to Aphrodite. She hailed from a wealthy family in Mytilene on the island of Lesbos, but was likely exiled to Sicily around 600 BC - ostensibly for political reasons. Sappho possibly remained active until around 570 BC. Modern scholarship considers the legendary account of her suicide, by leaping from the Leucadian cliffs, to be apocryphal. Sappho’s verse focused on themes of love, family, and faith, often expressing personal sentiment for solo performances. Her writing, praised for its vivid imagery and emotional depth, secured posthumous recognition as part of the Nine Lyric Poets canon in Hellenistic Alexandria. Sappho’s legacy endures, inspiring writers and symbolising female love, with the terms ‘sapphic’ and ‘lesbian’ originating from her name and that of her island of birth, Lesbos. This translation presents a selection of Sappho’s poems.

Author Details

Sappho, an eminent Archaic Greek poet, was born around 630 BC on the island of Lesbos, possibly in Eresos or Mytilene. She is thought to have been born into a wealthy family, although the identities of her parents remain uncertain. The name most commonly recorded for her father is Scamandronymus.

A key figure in lyric poetry, Sappho’s works were primarily designed for musical-accompaniment. Despite her extensive output, estimated at 10,000 lines, only fragments survive, one notable exception being her complete ‘Ode to Aphrodite’. Her poetry, which included elegiac and iambic forms, is renowned for its emotional depth, focusing on themes of love, family, and religious practices.

Sappho’s personal life remains somewhat of a mystery. Ancient texts refer to her having three brothers – Charaxos, Larichos, and Eurygios. She also appears to have had a daughter named Cleïs. Around 600 BC, Sappho was likely exiled to Sicily, possibly due to political conflicts in Lesbos. She remained active until circa 570 BC.

The legend of her suicide, driven by unrequited love for the ferryman Phaon, is considered apocryphal, likely stemming from later poets or misinterpretations of her work.

Sappho’s legacy in antiquity was profound, earning her the title of the ‘Tenth Muse’. Her influence persisted through the ages, her image becoming a symbol of female love and desire. The terms ‘sapphic’ and ‘lesbian’ derive from her name and homeland, respectively. Despite the scarcity of her surviving work, Sappho remains a pivotal figure in the study of ancient Greek poetry.

More by this author

Read Now Download

Theodoridis, George

Support Open-Access:

Your contribution keeps our classical translations available to all. Every dollar helps support classics education and funds the expansion of our catalogue. Value what we do? Donate now.

File Downloads:

PDF

Mobi

Epub

MS Word

Html