Sappho of Lesbus
Who was Sappho?
An ancient Greek poet
What Greek city-state created the Sacred Band?
Thebes
Where was Sappho from?
The island of Lesbos
In what year did the Sacred Band defeat a larger Spartan force at Tegyra?
375 BC.
What did Sappho often write about?
Love and desire
How many men made up the Sacred Band of Thebes?
300 men
What type of poetry was Sappho famous for?
Lyric poetry
What battle in 371 BC helped destroy Sparta’s reputation for military invincibility?
The Battle of Leuctra
Which goddess appears often in Sappho’s poetry?
Aphrodite
How many pairs of male lovers made up the Sacred Band?
150 pairs
What does the word “sapphic” come from?
Sappho’s name
At what battle was the Sacred Band ultimately defeated?
The Battle of Chaeronea
Why do we know little about Sappho’s personal life?
Most information about her has been lost
Why did the Thebans believe lovers would make better soldiers?
They would be more loyal and less likely to flee
Why is Sappho connected to the word “lesbian”?
She was from Lesbos and wrote about love between women
Who led the forces that defeated the Sacred Band at Chaeronea?
Philip II of Macedon and Alexander the Great
Why can’t we know Sappho’s sexual identity for certain?
Modern sexual labels did not work the same way in ancient Greece
What was the main idea behind using romantic relationships in the military?
Love → loyalty → courage → stronger soldiers.
Why is Sappho still important today?
Her poetry influenced literature and became a symbol of love between women
What did the Sacred Band do at Chaeronea instead of retreating?
They refused to retreat and fought until they were killed