Sappho: Stung with Love

My Thoughts

In the intro, Aaron Poochigian (translator) said: “Sappho fits squarely into the development of poetry from Homeric epic to Greek lyric.” We only have 10% of the poetry Sappho wrote and much of what is in this book is in fragments. What we do have though is quite extraordinary. The depth of it would have all gone completely over my head had it not been for the extremely helpful descriptions beside each poem. One thing that amazed me was just the number ancient authors who quoted Sappho. Her poetry was found in Egyptian tombs, was mentioned by many Greek authors, and was even mentioned in a letter from the Roman Emperor Julian.

My favorite was this one:

Blest bridegroom, this day of matrimony,
Just as you wished it, has come true:
The bride is whom you wished for…
‘You
Move gracefully; your eyes are honey;
Charm has showered on your radiant face –
Yes, Aphrodite granted you outstanding praise.’