Date of Birth: c. 630-612 BCE
Zodiac Sign: Unknown
Date of Death: c. 570 BCE
Biography
Sappho was an ancient Greek poetess, born on the island of Lesbos. She is one of the most famous lyric poets of antiquity and is often referred to as the “Tenth Muse” by later poets. Sappho’s poetry primarily explores themes of love and passion, and she is known for her intense and personal style. Although much of her work has been lost over time, the fragments that survive reveal her genius and have earned her a lasting legacy in literature. Sappho ran an academy for young women where she taught music, poetry, and other arts. Her work had a significant impact on later poets and remains influential today.
5 Interesting Facts about Sappho
1. Sappho was one of the first poets to write from a personal perspective, focusing on individual emotion rather than grand, public themes.
2. Much of what is known about Sappho comes from later writers who quoted her works, as only fragments of her poetry have survived.
3. Sappho’s poetry was written in the Aeolic dialect, which was specific to her native island of Lesbos.
4. She was exiled to Sicily at one point in her life, although the exact reasons for her exile are unclear.
5. The term “lesbian” is derived from the name of her home island, Lesbos, due to the homoerotic themes present in her poetry.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Sappho
1. “Someone, I tell you, in another time will remember us.”
2. “Although they are only breath, words which I command are immortal.”
3. “You may forget but let me tell you this: someone in some future time will think of us.”
4. “Love shook my heart like the wind on the mountain rushing over the oak trees.”
5. “With his venom, irresistible and bittersweet, that loosener of limbs, Love.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
As an ancient poet, Sappho’s net worth is not applicable in the modern sense. However, her cultural and literary impact is invaluable.
Children
Sappho is believed to have had a daughter named Cleïs, whom she mentions affectionately in her poetry.
Relevant Links
1. [Sappho – Poetry Foundation](https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/sappho
2. [Sappho – Ancient History Encyclopedia](https://www.ancient.eu/Sappho/
3. [Sappho – Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sappho-Greek-poet
4. [Sappho – Theoi Greek Mythology](https://www.theoi.com/Text/SapphoPoems1.html
