What deeds, in the future, would society want to remember? Since she knew what deeds would make history, she was knowledgeable about the future. 630), he calls to the muse : “Begin thou, unforgetting Clio, for all the ages are in thy keeping, and all the storied annals of the past.” The Muses were goddesses with great power, and Clio was essential to the memory and future of mankind. Statius was a Roman epic writer who wished for his work to be untarnished by time. The common belief was that Clio could bless those she favored with historical immortality. “ kleio” means “to make famous/renowned”. She did this by making their deeds so unforgettable that they would be remembered throughout the eons. She had the power to immortalize anyone: whether they were heroes, poets, or politicians. Clio Clio, Muse of History, by Charles Meynier, 1800, via the Cleveland Art MuseumĬlio was the muse of history.

Propertius says of Calliope in Elegies 3.2 : “The Musae (Muses) are my friends, my poems are dear to the reader, and Calliope never wearies of dancing to my rhythms.”Ģ. The belief was that if the muse was impressed by the skill of the bard, she would dance to it, and so bestow her favor on the creator. In ancient Greece, epic poetry was usually accompanied by music. Philostratus in his Imagines also comments on Calliope’s blessing, describing Orpheus thus: “charmed by his music even creatures that have not the intelligence of man, all the writers of myth agree.” According to Apollodorus, his singing and talent at the lyre was stirring enough to coax “stones and trees” to move. Her son, Orpheus, was blessed with her talent, and so he became an unparalleled musician. In older eras, Calliope’s role was recorded as encompassing music, song, and dance as well. Many a brave soul did it send hurrying down to Hades, and many a hero did it yield a prey to dogs and vultures, for so was the will of Zeus fulfilled…” ( Iliad, opening lines) “Sing, O goddess, the anger of Achilles son of Peleus, that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans. One of the most famous invocations of the muse is at the beginning of the epic poem, the Iliad. Many writers would invoke the power and support of Calliope when composing fantastical poetry about Greek heroes and their adventures. In artwork, she often appears carrying a scroll or a tablet with famous poetry inscribed upon it.Īs the oldest sister, she was the trailblazer of the Muses. Calliope Calliope, Muse of Epic Poetry, by Charles Meynier, 1798, via the Cleveland Art MuseumĬalliope was the muse of epic poetry and her name translates in ancient Greek as “beautiful-voice”. The invocation would begin, “Sing, O Muse…”, or “Sing, Goddess…”ġ. In poetic composition, ancient bards would invoke the muses to help them sing, narrate a story, or remember the great stories of heroes and heroines.

Artistic muse definition