Sappho

Biography

Sappho, one of the most celebrated poets of Ancient Greece, has become a symbol of both the beauty and complexity of human emotion, particularly in the realms of love and desire. Often referred to as the "Tenth Muse" by later writers, Sappho’s work has left an indelible mark on Western literature, even though much of it has been lost to time. She lived around the 7th century BCE on the island of Lesbos, and though very little is known about her life with certainty, her poetry continues to resonate across millennia.

Early Life and Background

Sappho was born into a wealthy and prominent family in the city of Mytilene, on the island of Lesbos, Greece, sometime around 630 BCE. Mytilene was a thriving cultural center during her time, and its citizens were known for their intellectual pursuits, poetry, and music. Little is known about Sappho’s family, but she is believed to have had several siblings, including a brother named Charaxos, who is mentioned in her poetry.

Though much of Sappho’s early life remains obscure, ancient scholars suggest that she came from a well-off background, which may have allowed her to receive an education and cultivate her poetic talents. The island of Lesbos was a hub of artistic and literary activity, with a particular emphasis on lyric poetry, a form of poetry that was often accompanied by music. It is likely that Sappho, like other members of the aristocracy, was educated in these arts.

Career and Education

Sappho’s education would have focused on the arts, particularly music, and poetry, as these were the cornerstones of Greek aristocratic culture. She was familiar with the lyre, the instrument often associated with her poetry, and it is thought that she composed her poems to be sung with this accompaniment. Sappho’s formal education was likely overseen by tutors, and she may have traveled to other parts of Greece to study under various teachers.

Sappho’s poetic career, which spanned several decades, is thought to have begun when she was in her youth. As a poet, she was known for her mastery of lyric verse—a genre distinct from epic poetry. Her work was deeply personal and emotionally charged, often exploring themes of love, beauty, longing, and the complexities of human relationships. Sappho’s poems are known for their vivid imagery, musicality, and the intimate tone in which they address emotions.

Her fame spread across the Greek world, and she was highly regarded by both her contemporaries and later generations. The great philosophers of antiquity, such as Plato, admired her work. Plato, in particular, referred to her as the "Tenth Muse," an honor that spoke to her remarkable influence on both poetry and culture. Many of Sappho’s poems were performed at social and religious gatherings, often at symposia (banquets) or festivals honoring the gods, such as those dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of love.

Sappho is also believed to have established a school or poetic community of women, often described as a "poet's circle" or "school of Sappho," where she taught girls from aristocratic families to sing and compose poetry. This group, described by ancient writers, focused on the arts of lyric poetry and may have been a place where women engaged in discussions of love, beauty, and gender, subjects central to Sappho’s work.

The Poetry of Sappho

Sappho’s poetry is known primarily through fragments, as much of her work has been lost. However, even in the limited amount that survives, her ability to capture the nuances of human emotions is evident. Her poetry often explores themes of love between women, and she wrote about the intense, personal experiences of affection, jealousy, desire, and heartbreak.

One of her most famous works is the Ode to Aphrodite, in which Sappho invokes the goddess of love to aid her in her emotional struggles. The poem is a striking example of Sappho’s skill in expressing the vulnerability of the human heart.

The Fragment 1 (often referred to as "Hymn to Aphrodite") is another iconic piece, where Sappho directly addresses the goddess, asking her to help with her unrequited love. Sappho's work also includes short, lyrical love poems and personal meditations on beauty and the passage of time.

Additionally, the Sapphic stanza—a metrical form named after her—became one of the defining structures of her poetry. It consists of four lines, with the first three being hendecasyllabic (11 syllables), followed by a shorter line. This structure has been influential throughout Western poetry, and its association with Sappho’s name is a testament to her lasting legacy.

Although much of her poetry was dedicated to romantic love, it should be noted that the Greek word "eros," which Sappho used in her works, is more expansive than the modern, narrow definition of romantic attraction. For Sappho, eros could refer to the affection between friends, the beauty of nature, or the divine love that connected humans to the gods.

Later Life and Death

The circumstances surrounding Sappho's later years and death are largely speculative. Ancient sources suggest that she may have been involved in a tragic love affair with a young man named Phaon, a story that has been passed down through myth and legend. According to some versions, Sappho's unrequited love for Phaon led her to despair, and she tragically threw herself into the sea from a cliff on the island of Leucadia, a place associated with lovers in Greek mythology.

However, the story of her death is based more on myth than historical fact, and there is no concrete evidence to confirm the details. Some scholars believe that Sappho lived a long life and died of natural causes. Regardless of the truth behind these tales, the image of Sappho as a passionate, tragic figure has persisted through the centuries.

Sappho's death is thought to have occurred sometime in the early 6th century BCE, though there is no definitive date. She was buried on Lesbos, and her grave became a site of pilgrimage for those who admired her poetry.