Sappho, often hailed as the “Tenth Muse,” was a lyrical poet from the island of Lesbos in the 7th and early 6th centuries BCE. Though only fragments of her vast body of work survive, her influence on Western literature is undeniable.
Her poetry, mostly composed for solo performances with a lyre, explored themes of love, desire, beauty, and the complexities of human emotion with remarkable intimacy and vivid imagery. Born into an aristocratic family on the island of Lesbos, Sappho spent most of her life in Mytilene, the island’s capital.
Mytilene is mentioned in the Bible as a destination of the Apostle Paul! She ran an academy for young women to be educated in music, poetry, and social graces, often in marriage preparation. It is within this context that much of her passionate verse, addressed to female companions and students, is understood.
Her intense expressions of affection gave rise to the terms “lesbian” and “sapphic,” forever linking her name to same-sex love. Despite the passage of millennia and the loss of most of her work, Sappho’s voice continues to resonate, celebrated for its profound emotional depth and groundbreaking contribution to lyric poetry.
