Sappho (Psappha)

Sappho Birth:

Sappho was born in Eresus, on the Greek island of Lesbo, but myths and legends now obscure much of the information we have about her life, writings, and death.

Sappho was from an aristocratic family, but her family was forced into exile in Sicily because of a political rebellion.

Sappho is believed to have been a contemporary of Alcaeus and Stesichorus. According to some records, Alcaeus was even believed to have been Sappho lover.

Sappho Death:

According to one legend, Sapppho committed suicide. She was apparently in love with Phaon, a young boatsman, and jumped to her death when her love was rejected. The year of her death is not known.

Sappho Marriage:

Sappho married, as was the custom, though little is known of her married life. Her husband's name was Cerkylas, and she gave birth to a daughter, Cleis.

Sappho Achievements:

Sappho became a famous writer, and Plato would later call her the "tenth muse." Her fame has stood the test of time, and has survived the loss of most of her works.

Sappho Lines from "Fragment" - J.S. Easby Smith :

"The moon has set
In a bank of jet
That fringes the Western sky,
The pleiads seven
Have sunk from heaven
And the midnight hurries by;
My hopes are flown
And, alas! alone
On my weary couch I lie."

"Builders, raise the ceiling high,
Raise the dome into the sky
Hear the wedding song!
For the happy groom is near,
Tall as Mars, and statelier,
Hear the wedding song!"

"What is beautiful is good, and who is good will soon also be beautiful."

Sappho Brief Biography:

(c 610-570 BC) Greek writer. Sappho is one of the most famous Greek writers, known for the fragments that are left of her books of poetry.