Sappho: Fragment 16

Some men say and army of horses and some men say an army on foot

and some men say an army of ships is the most beautiful thing

on the black earth. But I say it is

what you love.

Easy to make this understood by all.

For she who overcame everyone

in beauty (Helen)

left her fine husband

behind and went sailing to Troy.

Not for her children nor her dear parents

had she a thought, no-

]led her astray

]for

]lightly

]reminded me now of Anaktoria

who is gone.

I would rather see her lovely step

and the motion of light on her face

than chariots of Lydians or ranks

of footsoldiers in arms

] not possible to happen

] to pay for a share

]

]

]

]

]

toward[

]

]

]

out of the unexpected.

Translation by Carson

Sappho, , and Anne Carson. If Not, Winter: Fragments of Sappho. , 2002.

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We Need More Podcasts Like This

I love history. I love the history of strong women even more and dont get me started on things like gender and "queer" history. I'll talk your ear off lol. To see a podcast like this makes me so happy. Even better is how far they go in the history of Sappho, what we know of any way, and even bring in other historian makes me want to dance. I am learning new things I didn't know before and am being pointed in the direction of other researchers and poets that can further my own personal research. I will definitely suggest this to other people!