Podcast Summary: Stuff You Missed in History Class – SYMHC Classics: Sappho Release Date: August 9, 2025
Hosts: Tracy V. Wilson & Holly Fry
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts

Introduction to Sappho

Timestamp: [05:08]

In this episode of Stuff You Missed in History Class, hosts Tracy V. Wilson and Holly Fry delve into the life and legacy of Sappho, the renowned Greek lyric poet from the island of Lesbos. Recognized as the first known woman writer in the European literary tradition, Sappho's influence has endured for over 2,500 years, despite the fragmentary survival of her work.

Tracy V. Wilson emphasizes Sappho's esteemed position in literary history:

"Sappho's reputation as one of the world's finest poets has persisted for more than 2,500 years."
[05:07]

Historical Context and Biography

Timestamp: [05:08 – 12:48]

The hosts explore the limited and often unreliable sources about Sappho's life, primarily drawn from the Suda, a 10th-century Byzantine encyclopedia. This source provides conflicting information, including eight possible names for Sappho's father and uncertain details about her mother and siblings.

Tracy V. Wilson notes the challenges in reconstructing Sappho's biography:

"There are so many of the things that we, in theory, know about her are like, okay, are these three brothers? Are those three brothers her brothers?"
[41:33]

Key points discussed include:

• Birth and Early Life: Likely born between 612-609 BCE on Lesbos, possibly in Eresus or Mytilene.
• Family: Potentially had three brothers—Larikos, Caraxos, and Eurygeos—names that appear in her poetry.
• Career and Influence: Sappho was celebrated as a teacher and composer, credited with inventing the plectrum for lyres and authoring numerous poems across various meters.

Sappho's Poetry and Literary Contribution

Timestamp: [18:24 – 26:13]

Sappho's work, primarily lyric poetry, was intended to be sung with lyre accompaniment. Unlike Homer's epic narratives, her poetry was personal, emotional, and often centered on themes of love and desire.

Holly Fry elaborates on the nature of Sappho's poetry:

"These tend to be very personal, passionate and emotional poems, and they're simultaneously very simple and elegant."
[21:19]

Key aspects of her poetry include:

• Sapphic Meter: A distinctive four-line stanza with a specific syllabic pattern, named after Sappho herself.
• Surviving Works: Out of an estimated 10,000 lines, approximately 650 lines remain, mostly in fragments. Notable surviving works include:
  • Ode to Aphrodite: The only nearly complete poem, depicting Sappho's plea to the goddess Aphrodite for assistance in matters of love.

    “Beautiful, throned, immortal Aphrodite, daughter of Zeus, Beguiler, I implore thee..."
    [23:02]

  • The Brothers Poem: Refers to Sappho's brothers, offering rare insight into her personal life.

    “Peer of the Gods he seemeth to me the blissful man...”
    [23:42]

Legacy and Evolving Perceptions

Timestamp: [30:20 – 40:21]

Sappho's legacy has been subject to significant reinterpretation over the centuries, influenced by societal attitudes toward gender and sexuality.

Tracy V. Wilson reflects on the transformation of Sappho's image:

"Every age creates its own Sappho, and many of these creations have imagined Sappho as being, at least in the morality of the time, deviant or depraved."
[31:13]

Key Historical Shifts:

• Ancient Times: Initially celebrated without controversy, with Sappho receiving numerous poetry commissions.
• Greek Comedy: Later centuries saw Sappho caricatured as overly sensual and lustful in comedic plays, distorting her image.
• Middle Ages to Renaissance: Limited information led to myths surrounding her life, including the tale of her tragic love for Phaon, a ferryman.
• 18th to 19th Century: The terms "Sapphic" and "lesbian" evolved from denoting geographical and literary associations to specifically referring to same-sex relationships among women. Sappho became an iconic figure within the lesbian community, symbolizing female same-sex desire.
  • Daughters of Bilitis: Formed in 1955, this was the first national lesbian organization in the U.S., named after the fictitious poetopoetess Bilitis from the fraudulent Chanson de Bilitis, which linked Sappho to lesbianism.

Holly Fry comments on the modern association:

"Today Sappho seems really intrinsically connected to the idea of lesbian, which can describe a person's sexual orientation as well as their social identity."
[38:05]

Cultural Impact and Modern Relevance

Timestamp: [40:21 – 43:16]

Sappho remains a symbol of female creativity and the complexities of interpreting historical figures through contemporary lenses. Her fragmented poetry continues to inspire literary scholars, poets, and the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting the enduring relevance of her work.

Tracy V. Wilson draws parallels to modern figures:

"This whole story reminds me a lot of Jenny Lind, who was supposed to be just the world's most incredible opera singer, but of whom we have no recordings."
[40:21]

The hosts emphasize the fascination with Sappho despite the scant details:

"I love her and I think she's fascinating, even though I know literally tiny amounts about any of it."
[41:39]

Conclusion

Timestamp: [41:55 – 42:22]

Tracy and Holly wrap up their exploration of Sappho by acknowledging the enigmatic nature of her life and work. They encourage listeners to appreciate the beauty and emotional depth of her surviving fragments while recognizing the challenges in fully understanding her legacy.

Tracy V. Wilson concludes:

"We know literally almost nothing about her."
[40:21]

Notable Quotes

• Tracy V. Wilson:
  “There are so many of the things that we, in theory, know about her are like, okay, are these three brothers? Are those three brothers her brothers?”
  [41:33]

• Holly Fry:
  “This is like the most provisional discussion of history ever.”
  [09:42]

• Tracy V. Wilson:
  “But Sappho was deeply respected and admired as a poet and a person.”
  [30:20]

Additional Insights

• Fragmentary Survival: The loss of Sappho's extensive body of work underscores the fragility of ancient texts and the importance of preservation.
• Interpretative Challenges: The evolution of Sappho's image highlights how historical narratives are often reshaped to fit contemporary values and prejudices.
• Cultural Symbolism: Sappho's association with lesbianism illustrates the power of literary figures to become symbols within social movements.

Join the Journey If you're intrigued by the enigmatic life of Sappho and the enduring impact of her poetry, this episode offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration. Whether you're a student of history, literature, or LGBTQ+ studies, Tracy and Holly provide valuable insights into understanding one of antiquity's most celebrated yet elusive poets.

This summary was crafted based on the transcript provided for the "SYMHC Classics: Sappho" episode of Stuff You Missed in History Class. For the full experience, tune in to the episode on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform.