If you are a fan of crossword puzzles, you might have come across the clue “Sappho and Horace” in the New York Times crossword puzzle of October 1, 2022. The answer, as you may have guessed, is ODISTS. But who are Sappho and Horace, and why are they called odists? In this article, we will explore the lives and works of these two ancient poets, and how they influenced the genre of ode.

What is an Ode?

An ode is a type of lyric poem that expresses praise, admiration, or devotion to a person, place, thing, or idea. Odes usually have a formal structure, with a regular rhyme scheme and meter, and often use elaborate language and imagery. Odes can be classified into three main types: Pindaric, Horatian, and Irregular.

• Pindaric odes are named after the Greek poet Pindar, who wrote odes to celebrate the victories of athletes in the ancient Olympic Games. Pindaric odes have three stanzas: the strophe, the antistrophe, and the epode. The strophe and the antistrophe have the same meter and rhyme, while the epode has a different one.
• Horatian odes are named after the Roman poet Horace, who wrote odes to express his personal feelings and opinions on various topics. Horatian odes have a simpler structure, with four or more stanzas that have the same meter and rhyme throughout.
• Irregular odes are odes that do not follow any fixed pattern or rules. They can vary in length, rhyme, meter, and tone. Irregular odes are more common in modern poetry, as poets experiment with different forms and styles.

Who is Sappho?

Sappho was a Greek poet who lived in the 7th or 6th century BC on the island of Lesbos. She is considered one of the greatest lyric poets of all time, and one of the first female writers in history. She wrote about love, friendship, beauty, nature, and the gods, using a passionate and personal voice. She also composed music to accompany her poems, which were sung by herself and her female companions, known as the Sapphic circle.

Sappho’s poems were written in a dialect of Greek called Aeolic, and in a meter called Sapphic, which consists of four lines of eleven, eleven, eleven, and five syllables. Sappho’s poems were widely admired and imitated by later poets, such as Catullus, Ovid, and Dante. However, most of her poems have been lost or destroyed over time, and only a few fragments and quotations survive today. Some of her most famous poems include “Ode to Aphrodite”, “He Seems to Me Equal to the Gods”, and “The Anactoria Poem”.

Who is Horace?

Horace was a Roman poet who lived in the 1st century BC, during the reign of Augustus. He was born in a small town in southern Italy, and studied in Rome and Athens. He served as an officer in the army of Brutus and Cassius, who opposed Julius Caesar, but after their defeat at the Battle of Philippi, he returned to Rome and became a friend and protégé of Maecenas, a wealthy patron of the arts. Horace wrote various types of poems, such as satires, epistles, and epodes, but he is best known for his odes, which he wrote in four books.

Horace’s odes are written in Latin, and in various meters borrowed from the Greek poets, such as Sappho, Alcaeus, and Pindar. Horace’s odes cover a wide range of themes, such as love, friendship, philosophy, politics, morality, and art. He also praises Augustus and his achievements, and expresses his loyalty to the Roman Empire. Horace’s odes are characterized by their elegance, wit, and balance, and they have influenced many later poets, such as Ben Jonson, John Dryden, and Alexander Pope. Some of his most famous odes include “Carpe Diem”, “Dulce et Decorum Est”, and “Integer Vitae”.

Why are Sappho and Horace Called Odists?

Sappho and Horace are called odists because they are both masters of the ode, a poetic form that they refined and popularized in their respective cultures. Sappho and Horace have different styles and perspectives, but they share a common passion for poetry and a deep appreciation for the beauty and complexity of life. Their odes are timeless and universal, and they speak to the hearts and minds of readers across the ages. Sappho and Horace are not only odists, but also icons of literature and culture.

According to My Word Games, the clue “Sappho and Horace” has appeared twice in the New York Times crossword puzzle, once in 2022 and once in 2023. The next time you encounter this clue, you will not only know the answer, but also the history and significance behind it. Sappho and Horace are more than just crossword clues, they are odists.