Tumgik
#ancient greek poetry
lionofchaeronea · 2 months
Text
Come, shining lyre, speak to me--gain the power of utterance. ἄγι δὴ χέλυ δῖα μοι λέγε φωνάεσσα δὲ γίνεω. --Sappho, fr. 118
319 notes · View notes
wine-darktea · 8 months
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Sappho; Fragment 147
Translation by Anne Carson (If not, Winter: Fragments of Sappho)
590 notes · View notes
petaltexturedskies · 1 year
Text
Sometimes at sunset the rosyfingered moon surpasses all the stars. And her light stretches over salt sea equally and flowerdeep fields. And the beautiful dew is poured out and roses bloom and frail chervil and flowering sweetclover.
Sappho, from If not, winter: fragments of Sappho (trans. by Anne Carson)
439 notes · View notes
Tumblr media
Erastus Dow Palmer (1817-1904) "Sappho" (c.1858)
502 notes · View notes
chantillylace111 · 11 months
Text
Tumblr media
♡New wallpaper♡
148 notes · View notes
bones-ivy-breath · 2 months
Text
Tumblr media
The First Cologne Epode by Archilochus (tr. Peter Bing and Rip Cohen), from Games of Venus: An Anthology of Greek and Roman Erotic Verse from Sappho to Ovid
26 notes · View notes
gennsoup · 3 months
Text
But I love extravagance, And wanting it has handed down The glitter and glamour of the sun As my inheritance.
Sappho, But I love extravagance
21 notes · View notes
a-gnosis · 1 year
Photo
Tumblr media
10: Winter Cosiness
Zeus is raining down a great winter storm From the sky, and the rivers have frozen. But defy the storm! Put up a fire, Mix unsparingly the honeysweet wine, And throw a soft pillow to the side of your head.
Alkaios, Fragment 338, translated by William S. Annis
Ariadne and Dionysos having some winter cosiness.
394 notes · View notes
honorthegods · 11 months
Text
Tumblr media
Among the numerous titles of possible interest to readers of this blog, I wholeheartedly recommend the beautifully-made hardcover edition of Greek Poems to the Gods: Hymns from Homer to Proclus by Barry B. Powell as a gift for someone special - or for oneself. Current sale price is $15.87 USD, plus taxes and shipping.
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with University of California Press in any way and I receive no discount or compensation for sharing this sale.
54 notes · View notes
Text
Tumblr media
“May I write words more naked than flesh,
stronger than bone, more resilient than
sinew, sensitive than nerve.”
I’ve been totally in love with Sappho and her works recently, so inspiration struck! I used this vase painting of her
Tumblr media
(it was painted over 100 years postmortem, but it’s the earliest confirmed image of her that has survived)
63 notes · View notes
sundaybloo · 2 years
Text
Tumblr media
(source - sunday bloo)
323 notes · View notes
lionofchaeronea · 2 months
Text
Hark, the sea is silent, the breezes silent too: The pain within my breast, though--it will not be stilled. ἠνίδε σιγῇ μὲν πόντος, σιγῶντι δ᾽ ἀῆται: ἁ δ᾽ ἐμὰ οὐ σιγῇ στέρνων ἔντοσθεν ἀνία --Theocritus, Idyll 2.38-39
61 notes · View notes
wine-darktea · 2 months
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Snow is the best excuse to stay inside and read some poetry ❄️
141 notes · View notes
blueheartbookclub · 2 months
Text
"Whispers from Antiquity: An Intimate Journey with 'The Poems of Sappho' by John Myers O'Hara"
Tumblr media
John Myers O'Hara's translation of 'The Poems of Sappho' is a delicate and captivating rendition that brings the ethereal verses of the ancient Greek poet into the hands of contemporary readers. This interpretative journey into Sappho's lyrical world is a testament to O'Hara's mastery of language and his commitment to preserving the essence of Sappho's poetic genius. As one delves into the pages of this collection, the poet's voice echoes through the ages, transcending time and cultural barriers.
The title itself, 'The Poems of Sappho: An Interpretative Rendition into English,' hints at O'Hara's approach to translating the works of this enigmatic poet. Rather than a literal translation, O'Hara offers an interpretation that seeks to capture the emotional depth, sensuality, and nuances of Sappho's verses. The result is a collection that resonates with the modern reader while maintaining the spirit of Sappho's ancient lyricism.
Sappho, known for her evocative poetry centered around themes of love, desire, and the complexities of human emotion, finds a sympathetic interpreter in O'Hara. The translator skillfully navigates the challenges of capturing the subtle nuances and cultural contexts of Sappho's work, presenting readers with a collection that feels both authentic and accessible. The emotional intensity and intimacy of Sappho's poetry are preserved, allowing contemporary audiences to connect with the poet's timeless expressions of love and longing.
O'Hara's introduction provides valuable insights into Sappho's life, historical context, and the challenges inherent in translating her work. This contextualization enhances the reader's appreciation for the significance of Sappho as a pioneering voice in ancient Greek literature and elevates the collection beyond a mere compilation of verses. O'Hara's dedication to presenting Sappho in a holistic manner, beyond the stereotypical depiction of her as a love poet, adds depth to the reader's understanding of this influential figure.
The poet's exploration of themes such as the fleeting nature of beauty, the ecstasy of love, and the yearning for connection is as relevant today as it was in ancient times. O'Hara's translation not only preserves the historical and cultural richness of Sappho's work but also invites readers to contemplate the universal aspects of the human experience that transcend temporal and linguistic boundaries.
In conclusion, 'The Poems of Sappho: An Interpretative Rendition into English' by John Myers O'Hara is a mesmerizing exploration of one of antiquity's most celebrated poets. O'Hara's careful balancing act between fidelity to the original and a contemporary sensibility results in a collection that feels fresh, emotionally resonant, and true to the spirit of Sappho's lyrical artistry. This interpretative rendition serves as a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern sensibilities, inviting readers to savor the poetic whispers that have endured across centuries.
John Myers O'Hara's translation of 'The Poems of Sappho' is available in Amazon in paperback 10.99$ and hardcover 18.99$ editions.
Number of pages: 125
Language: English
Rating: 9/10                                           
Link of the book!
Review By: King's Cat
8 notes · View notes
aboutanancientenquiry · 4 months
Text
“In conclusion, I hope to have demonstrated that Herodotus establishes in his prologue a relationship of considerable complexity with his poetic predecessors and contemporaries. From the outset he presents his monumental historical narrative of the Greco-Persian wars as simultaneously indebted and opposed to a network of poets, whose Panhellenic cultural prestige he challenges in the innovative medium of prose. Epic—specifically, Homeric epic—is tacitly acknowledged as a model of primary importance: Herodotus adopts the martial subject matter of the Iliad and projects the persona of the peripatetic Homeric hero Odysseus. In abandoning the deeply retrospective glance of the epic tradition to perpetuate the kleos of fully human warriors, Herodotus follows the example of various poets and artists who celebrated the great Greek victories over the Persians in the early decades of the fifth century. At the same time, Herodotus implies that his own new medium of prose historiê, committed to writing, will surpass poetry’s ability to perform its traditional function of public commemoration. Herodotus constructs the entire prologue as an ingenious prose priamel, a poetic rhetorical structure that enables him to emphasise important points of contact with and departure from Homeric epic, Sappho’s fr. 16, and the portrayal of Croesus in epinician poetry. Finally, at the transition from prologue to narrative proper (1.5.4), Herodotus summarises his perception of historical change as rooted in the transience of human prosperity, introducing this insight with a distinctive term (ἐπιστάµενος) that signals his appropriation of the cultural authority typically bestowed by his contemporaries upon the poetic sage.87"
From the article of Charles C. Chiasson “Herodotus’ Prologue and the Greek Poetic Tradition”, Histos 6 (2012), 114-143 (conclusion).
Source:
10 notes · View notes
catulluslover · 7 months
Text
ELENA, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN OF GREECE
AN ANALYSIS OF THE CHARACTER
Tumblr media
HER MYTH
Before Troy:
Elena was the daughter of Zeus and Leda, but she was raised by the mother and Tindaro, her husband, with Castore, Polluce and Clitemnestra, her three siblings.
↳ Tindaro was the king of Sparta: he was reintegrated on the throne by Eracle after his half-brother Ippocoonte took it from him.
↳ Once Zeus saw Leda taking a bath in a river, he fell for her. Getting close in the form of a swan, he had sex with Leda and impregnated her.
When she was young, Teseo kidnapped her, but she was freed by Castore and Polluce.
Growing up, she became the most beautiful woman of Greece, and because of this, every Greek prince wanted to marry her. To avoid a war between them, they promised, under suggestion of Odisseo, to pledge solidarity to the one Elena chose. Elena decided to marry Menelao and had one daughter with him, Hermione.
Troy:
After Paride chose Aphrodite as the most beautiful goddess, she maintained her promise and helped him have the most beautiful woman. So Paride, when he visited the court of Sparta, took her to Troy.
↳ Paride was one of the sons of Priamo, king of Troy. Because of a prophecy that said he would bring the end of the city, when he was a newborn, he was abandoned and raised by farmers. However, the prophecy still happened.
↳ The antefact of the War of Troy: Eris, the goddess of caos and revenge, was not invited to the wedding of the nymph Teti, so she decided to trow during the reception a gold apple with an inscription: "to the most beautiful". Era, Atena and Aphrodite started arguing to which one of them the apple was destined. They decided to ask the most handsome mortal: Paride. Each one promised something to the young man: Aphrodite promised the love of the most beautiful woman.
After Elena went with Paride to Troy and Menelao found out, he declared war between Greece and Troy with all the other greek princes. Once the war started, Elena was protected by Priamo and his family, even tho Troians hated her, seeing in the girl the only reason of the war.
During the conflict, Elena maintained an ambiguous attitude: she protected twice Odisseo when he sneaked inside the city and agreed with him the signal for the Achaeans about to attack. Once Paride died, she married his brother Deifobo, but when the war ended, she handed him to the Greeks and reunited with Menelao.
After Troy:
After the war, Elena traveled a bit in the Mediterranean and then returned with Menelao at Sparta, where she reigned with him until his death.
She then retired to Rodi, where Polisso made her slaves hang Elena. The reason was that her husband, Tlepolemo, was killed in the war, and she was considered the reason for the conflict.
AN ADULTERESS OR A FOLLOWER OF APHRODITE? HOW ELENA WAS PERCIVED
Just like it is said more times in her story, Elena was considered the only reason for the conflict between Achaeans and Trojans (like it wasn't a man to declare war, but we're talking about a radically chauvinist society).
In fact, most of the time, she was perceived and considered exclusively an adulteress. This is because most writers in Ancient Greece were men, so they present Elena to us from their point of view, which can find its representation in Alceo's ode "Elena".
↳ Alceo was a lyrical poet from Lesbo during the same period as Saffo
In the ode, Alceo compares Elena to the nymph Teti, using them respectively as an example of bad and good ethic. Teti most probably represents the greek morals and is complimented for her marriage and her son, Achille. On the other hand, Elena is exclusively accused of being the reason for the war because of her bad actions.
So, it's clear how from the chauvinist pov, Elena willingly committed adultery, and because of this, men's actions are her fault, like when going with Paride, she automatically declared war herself.
UHowever, by simply reading the Odyssey, we can understand how much this vision is distorted. Elena herself says that her soul suffered from the fault that Aphrodite forced her to commit, she wanted to stay in her homeland, with her daughter and her husband, whom she considered the most handsome and the wisest. She didn't want to leave with Paride, but she couldn't go against what the goddess decided for her.
On the same line of this interpretation, there's the female point of view, which is presented by Saffo in her ode "The most beautiful thing", and Gorgia's opinion.
↳ Gorgia was a philosopher during the same period as Socrates
In the poem, the poetess declares that "what everyone is in love with" is "the most beautiful thing". To demonstrate the superiority of love, she uses Elena as an example. She is the subject of the power of Aphrodite, who makes her forget her loved ones and overwhelms her with a love for Paride from which she cannot escape. Elena is also a victim of Cipride, the goddess that makes humans crazy. Saffo describes an Elena who, left without the possibility of acting, can be made neither guilty nor victim, but must be considered a favorite of the goddess of love to be envied.
The philosopher Gorgia also gives a similar interpretation. In fact, he wrote "Praise of Elena", in which he defends her.
"she did what she did or for the will of Chaos and will of the gods and decree of Necessity, or kidnapped with violence, or convinced by the speeches, or captured by love"
↳ ⚠️ This is a rough translation from Italian ⚠️
In all the cases Gorgia gives to us, Elena is always without fault, because her will is submitted to stronger forces. Of course, this vision of the character is the product of his philosophy: he believed humans' actions aren't made by logic or truth, but circumstances, lies, passions and unknown destiny; so everyone is always without a fault as they are submitted to something bigger that they can't control.
In the middle of the two extremist positions, we could put Stesicoro, another lyrical poet, who at first wrote verses against Elena and then in her favor. The first poem he wrote condemned both her and her sister Clitemnestra for their infidelity. However, later on, he wrote another one where he stated that Elena never left Sparta, it was her είδωλον=shadow that followed Paride.
↳ Clitemnestra cheated on Agamennone with his cousin while he was conducting the War of Troy
↳ There is also a myth that explains why Stesicoro changed his mind. Apparently, after the first poem, he became blind and the myth says that was the punishment from Castore and Polluce. After he wrote the second one, the semi gods gave him his sight back
More in general, apart from literats, the character of Elena went through an evolution in the popular culture. At first, she was seen only as an adulteress and the cause of the war. But as time went by, she was revised, and we know that in the late classic period there were cults that nearly worshipped her.
A/N: This is all about Elena. What do you think? I personally agree with her being submitted by Aphrodite. But what is your position about her? Let me know.
Tumblr media
13 notes · View notes