Ancient Greek poetry and certain branches of the Hellenic people
Ancient Greek poetry and certain branches of the Hellenic people
The Ionian tribe, the most advanced of all the other Greek tribes and particularly distinguished in poetry, addressing mainly the external world, also created the most appropriate poetic forms of outlook - epos, elegy and yamba; the development of lyrical poetry in the close sense of the word, i.e., song poetry accompanied by the accompaniment of lyrical or other musical instruments, poetry, in which the internal movements of the soul are most fully expressed, was taken over by the other two tribes - the Eolan and Dorian tribes. One branch of lyricism, single-voiced songs, developed mainly among the Aeolians; the other - choral songs - mainly among the Dorians, which is why the name of lyricism was given to Aeolian and Doric. The Eolians and Dorians, in contrast to the external worldview of the Yonians, were characterized by a greater concentration of soul and depth of feeling, so that they had a special ability to lyricism in the proper sense of the word, the poetry of the heart; But since the Aeolians were as receptive and mobile as the Ionians, and the Dorians did not have this quality, the Aeolian lyricism, the most outstanding representatives of which were the poet Alchei and poetess Sappho, had reached the highest degree of prosperity before the Doric.
Poets of Lesbos
The Aeolian tribe, native to Sappho and Alkea, was the most sensual and material of all the Greek tribes; it had a particularly passionate character and, in an attempt to satisfy this passion, was easily carried away by an unstoppable thirst for pleasure and arrogance. These disadvantages were rightly reproached by the Thessalian, Beotian and Asian Minority Eolians; but the lesbian Eolians in this regard were advantageous to their fellow tribesmen, perhaps because on the island of Lesbos, the homeland of Alkei and Sappho, the Aeolian tribe was mixed with the Ionic tribe. During the epoch of migration, the Aeolians, having landed on this island under the leadership of Pentil, found there the Ionians who had moved there before, and mixed with them, but so that the Aeolian element was predominant. As in the past, the mixing of the Aeolians with the Ionians in Smyrna greatly contributed to the high development of epic poetry, so, apparently, it also had the same consequences in Lesbos. In Lesbos, music developed with special love, for which the Aeolian tribe was very capable; thanks to this, a strong and receptive spirit of the people had the opportunity to create an artistic lyricism in the works of Alkei and Sappho, rising to the highest level of mental development.
Lesbos, lying in the Gulf of Adramitten, near the Aeolian coast, southwest of Troas, was the largest island of the Greek archipelago after Evia. Its coastline, rich in bays, stretched over 1100 stages along Strabo. Cut through quite high mountains, this attractive island had a mild, healthy climate, rather moderate due to sea winds, and significant fertility. It was rich in bread, butter and figs, and firewood lesbian wine was considered one of the best and most famous wines in ancient times. The grapes grew on the island in extraordinary abundance, and not as much as elsewhere, wrapped around trees and stamens, but as ivy, spreading on the ground, so that, as one ancient writer says, even a small child, stretched handles from his cradle, could enjoy the gifts of Bacchus. The population of this rich and beautiful island was active and energetic, until it was influenced by the luxury and joyful life; the rich industrial cities, among which Mitilena, one of the most beautiful and richest cities in Greece, took the first place, enjoyed their favorable position on the comfortable seashore and conducted extensive trade. The Alkea countrymen, lesboys, were brave sailors who were not afraid to sail to the remotest seas, and owned a fleet that could hardly compete with any other. Most of the Greek colonies in Troas were founded by them, and for a long time they dominated almost the entire area.
