sappho context Flashcards
what is the only complete work we have
ode to aphrodite/aphrodite of the emroidered throne
what is sappho famous for
lyric poetry, written to be sung with music
what is one reason we have so little of her work
her romantic love for women
what happened in 1204 that resulted in the loss of some of her work
1204 the fourth crusade burned constantinople and the vast magority of her work was lost
what is another reason her work has been forgotten over time
not been copied or translated
when was sappho around
610-570bc (exact dates debated)
what might her mother have been called
cleis
how many brothers do we think she has had
3
what might her husband have been called
cercylas (from island of andros)
why do we think sappho died
jumped off a cliff after her heart was broken by a man
how many times does she mention her own name in her poetry
in 3 fragments
where is she from
mytilene, lesbos
where do we see alcaeus and her (hes another poet)
a painting from 480-470bc
where else do we see sappho (painting)
painting of her and 3 women
- possibly muses or maybe friends
- she is reading a scroll
- one women holds a lyre
440-430bc
where else do we see sappho
on mytilenean coins
what is sapphos fathers name
scamandronymus
what is a lyre
musical instrument plucked with a plectrum
what is a plectrum
a small plat object like a pick
what is a monody
solo perormance of poetry - associated with personal intimate poetry
what is a chorus
a number of singers singing together used in greek drama and religious rituals or weddings
what were women from lesbos known for
their beauty and sexual behaviour
what does alcaeus say about what happens on lesbos
female beauty contests held in honour of hera
what did the verb lesbiazein mean in greek comedy
to be sexually promiscuous
what is one reason some of sapphos fragments have survived
they were quoted in other ancient sources
when did we find the first fragment
1897
what is a topos
a reoccuring feature in literature
- common topoi in sappho include pain, love, nature, invocations `
where do we see use of mythology in her poems
-poem 44 the wedding between hector and andromache
-poem 16 helen has chosen to leave her husband and daughter
-poem 17 she appeals to hera, agamemnom and menelaus