Erinna of Telos (Ἤριννα ἡ Τηλία)

Life Erinna was a Greek poet from the island of Telos (or possibly Rhodes) who lived in the mid-4th century BCE [1][2][3]. Ancient sources, including the Palatine Anthology, claim she died at the age of 19, a tradition that became a notable part of her biography [1][2][3]. Her poetry, focusing on female friendship and domestic life, suggests a background more modest than that of earlier lyric poets like Sappho, to whom she is often compared [1][2].

Works Only fragments of her work survive. Her most famous poem is the Distaff (Ἠλακάτη), a hexameter lament of roughly 300 lines for her childhood friend Baucis; about 50 lines remain [1][2][3]. The Suda also references poems called The Spindle and The Weaving, which may be alternate titles [2]. Three epigrams attributed to her are preserved in the Greek Anthology, though their authenticity is debated [1][2].

Significance Erinna was highly esteemed in antiquity, listed among the nine great female poets by Antipater of Thessalonica [1][2]. Her significance lies in her unique voice, bridging earlier lyric intensity with Hellenistic style through her innovative use of the Doric dialect and hexameter for personal lament [1][2]. The Distaff offers a rare, poignant glimpse into the domestic and emotional world of ancient Greek women [1][3].

Sources 1. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Plato.stanford.edu): https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/erinna/ 2. Perseus Digital Library (Tufts University): https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aentry%3Derinna-bio-1 3. ToposText (Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation): https://topostext.org/people/erinna