[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

From the oeuvre of Sappho's poetry that have been passed down to us, no one in their right mind would call her a great poet. We have only one complete poem and fragments. This latest find makes two poems. And those after classical antiquity that did praise her as a muse, based their judgment on how others praised her poetry.

Her fame as a poet is largely based on hearsay. Some critics and others among the literati are perfectly happy placing her among the best poets of all times with little to no evidence. When it comes to critiquing a poet, I have to rank myself among the evidentialists.

[Nateman]

Sounds like the ultimate shaggy dog story.

[Reactionary]

"These are all that have survived of the writings of a woman who the Greek philosopher Plato said should be honoured not merely as a great lyric poet but as one of the Muses, the goddesses who inspire all art."

I know of no Platonic dialogue in which she's mentioned. I know, however, that the attribution Plato was supposed to have made was part of the Anthologia Palatina.

[marsh_of_mists]

Her fame is based on the fact that ancient Greek and Roman writers, who did have access to her work, thought she was one of the greatest poets in history.