Alcaeus

Alcaeus (ălsē`əs), c.620–c.580 B.C., Greek lyric poet of Lesbos. An aristocrat, he was often embroiled in political battles with the ruling tyrants. He wrote drinking songs, hymns, love songs, and political odes. He was, according to tradition, a close associate of Sappho. The Alcaic strophe (a four-line stanza) said to be his invention was much used by Greek lyrists and greatly admired by Horace who employed it with slight modification.

Bibliography

See D. Page, Sappho and Alcaeus (1955); H. Martin, Alcaeus (1972); A. P. Burnett, Three Archaic Poets (1983).

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Alcaeus

 or Alkaios

(born c. 620 BC, Mytilene, Lesbos—died c. 580 BC) Greek lyric poet. Only fragments and quotations survive from his work, consisting of hymns in honour of gods and heroes, love poetry, drinking songs, and political poems. Many reflect Alcaeus's vigorous involvement in the life of his native Mytilene, particularly its political life. His poetry was a favorite model for Horace, who adapted from him his own alcaic stanza.