Teacher's Curriculum Institute

Chapter 31 describes many areas of ancient Greek achievements. From medicine to theater, the Greeks made lasting contributions. One area of excellence was in literature. The Greeks invented drama. We still enjoy comedies and tragedies today. Lyric poetry was another form of literature created by the ancient Greeks. Lyric poems often had very personal themes, such as love or heartbreak. The name comes from its origin; lyric poems were traditionally performed with the accompaniment of a lyre. Today we still call the words to a song lyrics.

Sappho was one of the most famous lyric poets. She was a wealthy young woman who traveled throughout Greece. She was well known and celebrated by many ancient Greeks. Interestingly, only one of her poems from nine volumes of work survived in its entirety. The rest are fragments of the original versions. Below is one of those fragments. In it, Sappho describes the “most beautiful thing.” According to Sappho, what is that?

“Some Say...” translated by Peter Saint-Andre

Some say an army of horsemen or footmen or rowers
Is the most beautiful thing over the coal-black earth,
But I say it is that thing, whatever it is,
That one loves and desires.

All easy it is to make this clear to anyone,
For Helen, far surpassing all mortals [humans] in beauty,
Leaving behind the best of all men,
Departed, sailing for Troy—
And not at all did she remember
Parents, nor love of children,
But passion directed her.


Investigating Literature

Sappho declared that the most beautiful thing is whatever “one loves and desires.” For Sappho, this was poetry, and she wrote many wonderful poems to celebrate and share her passion. What is your favorite thing? It may be an activity you do, something you like to learn about, a person, or an object. Share your passion with others by describing it in a form of writing. Select from these forms—or any other form that best expresses what you most enjoy:
•	a letter to a close friend describing what you love most
•	a review of a favorite book or movie
•	a poem about something you have a passion for
•	a report about your most satisfying activity
•	a narrative about a treasured experience

History Alive! The Ancient World, Investigating Literature