Sappho is one of the most famous of the ancient poets, the 9 canonical lyric poets, despite the fact that very little of her poetry survives. She is famous today for having lived and taught women on the island (whether true or not) of Lesbos during the 7th century B.C., and for having written romantic poetry featuring men and women.
Sappho was probably a contemporary of a famous male poet, Alcaeus, a time of political turmoil, during which Sappho was probably exiled to Sicily.
A romantic story of Sappho's death has her committing suicide for love.
