9 Must-Read Greek Poems

Greek poetry has a long literary tradition that spans centuries, leaving a profound impact on world literature. Ancient Greek poetry, including epic works such as Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, embodies heroic themes, exploring the intricacies of human nature and the gods’ influence.

The lyrical poetry of Sappho and Pindar evokes intense emotions and celebrates beauty, love, and the natural world. Greek tragedy, exemplified by playwrights like Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, delves into profound philosophical questions and the complexities of human existence.

The Hellenistic period brought forth poets like Callimachus and Theocritus, who depicted everyday life, love, and pastoral scenes.

Poem Explorer Poetry Archives

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"> 95/100

Hymn to Aphrodite

by Sappho

The ‘Hymn to Aphrodite’ by Sappho is an ancient lyric in which Sappho begs for Aphrodite’s help in managing her turbulent love life.

Sappho is one of the best-known Greek poets from antiquity, which has given her a prominent, permanent place in all of Western history. However, other poets such as Homer may outrank her in terms of nationality, as epic poetry is quintessentially nationalistic, and Homer glorified Greece with his Illiad and Odyssey. This poem is, despite this, one of the best examples of Greek poetry we have today.

Beautiful-throned, immortal Aphrodite,

Daughter of Zeus, beguiler, I implore thee

Weigh me not down with weariness and anguish,

O thou most holy!

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Ithaka

by C. P. Cavafy

‘Ithaka’ by the Greek poet Constantine Peter Cavafy presents his unique take on Odysseus’s journey to Ithaca, his home island.

This poem is deeply connected to Greek poetry, particularly in its themes and references. Cavafy, being a Greek poet himself, draws inspiration from ancient Greek mythology and literature, infusing his work with a sense of classical tradition. It should be regarded as a great example of modern Greek verse. Cavafy's use of language, imagery, and symbolism also reflects the influence of Greek poetic traditions, as well.

As you set out for Ithaka

hope your road is a long one,

full of adventure, full of discovery.

Laistrygonians, Cyclops,

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Themes: Love, Relationships

Topics: History, Life, Soldiers

Form: Free Verse

Genre: Lyric

"> 88/100

To an army wife, in Sardis

by Sappho

‘To an army wife, in Sardis’ by Sappho describes the power that the thing one loves has over the forward momentum of one’s life and the world at large.

Some say a cavalry corps,

some infantry, some again,

will maintain that the swift oars

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The Anactoria Poem

by Sappho

‘The Anactoria Poem’ is a widely read love poem in which Sappho uses the story of Helen of Troy to speak on the nature of beauty.

Sappho, along with Homer, was the premier poetic figure of Ancient Greece and her influence extended many centuries after her death. Even though the nation of Greece did not exist in her lifetime, she is still widely celebrated in the country today and is regarded as one of the region's finest ever writers.

Some say thronging cavalry, some say foot soldiers,

others call a fleet the most beautiful of

sights the dark earth offers, but I say it's what-

ever you love best.

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Calypso

by Olga Broumas

In Olga Broumas’s ‘Calypso,’ the speaker conjures up a dreamy world, imagining sensual women to fulfill her sexual desires.

Broumas reimagines the classic Greek myth of 'Calypso,' adding layers of depth and complexity to the poem. While perhaps not as widely recognized as some other Greek poems, 'Calypso' is written by one of the well-known Greek poets of the 20th century. The poem imbues classic myth with modern concerns by drawing upon familiar characters from Greek mythology. While drawing on classical mythology asserting its Greek heritage, the poem is also part of the Broumas' groundbreaking collection published during the lesbian feminism movement of the 1970s.

I’ve gathered the women like talismans, one

by one. They first came for tarot card

gossip, mystified

by my hands, by offers

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Olives

by A. E. Stallings

‘Olives’ is the title poem of A.E. Stallings’ third book of poetry by the same name. It explores the features of the fruit and its resemblance to her poems.

Stallings connects her work to Greece, where olives have cultural and historical depth. By choosing olives as a metaphor, she links her poetry to a timeless tradition of endurance and care. The poem suggests that poetry, like olives, requires careful handling and a period of maturing to be truly enjoyed. This cultural backdrop brings out the sense of patience and respect for life’s small details that Stallings hopes to express through her words.

Sometimes a craving comes for salt, not sweet,

(...)

Clinging tightly to the pit—on spears

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He Is More Than A Hero

by Sappho

‘He is more than a hero’ by Sappho describes a speaker’s turbulent emotions in regards to a woman she loves but she cannot have.

He is more than a hero

he is a god in my eyes—

the man who is allowed

to sit beside you — he

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The City

by C. P. Cavafy

Cavafy’s ‘The City’ reveals fleeing problems by changing locations is futile; true change must come from within, not from new surroundings.

You said: “I’ll go to another country, go to another shore,

find another city better than this one.

Whatever I try to do is fated to turn out wrong

and my heart lies buried like something dead.

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XII

by Sappho

‘XII’ by Sappho explores the purpose of love and the pain that it can cause when a speaker dreams about, and speaks to, Aphrodite.

In a dream I spoke with the Cyprus-born,

And said to her,

"Mother of beauty, mother of joy,

Why hast thou given to men

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9 Must-Read Greek Poems

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