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Sappho: Love & Life on Lesbos with Margaret Mountford

Margaret Mountford goes in search of the truth behind Sappho, the most controversial writer of the ancient world and the first authentic woman's voice in western history.

With a PhD in papyrology, Margaret Mountford goes in search of the truth behind the legend of Sappho, the most controversial writer of the ancient world and the first authentic woman's voice in western history.

The sensational discovery of a lost papyrus containing the words to songs unheard for 1,700 years sends Margaret on a journey of exploration.

From the fragmentary documents, ruined temple architecture and surviving oriental jewellery, the programme conjures the real world of the woman, whose erotic writings gave us the words 'sapphic' and 'lesbian', after the island of Lesbos the place of her birth.

Was she indeed the first lesbian, a priestess, prostitute, a stern schoolmistress or an aristocratic lady of leisure as readers over the centuries have variously alleged. Plus how each generation's view of the archetypal liberated woman of letters tells us as much about us and our fears and concerns as it does about her.

1 hour

Last on

Mon 13 May 2019 00:30
主播大秀 Four

Clips

See all clips from Sappho: Love & Life on Lesbos with Margaret Mountford (3)

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:35

    Offenbarung 23

    60 Minuten - Die Echtzeitfolge

  • 00:50

    Offenbarung 23

    Der Preis Der Freiheit Teil 13

  • 00:59

    The O鈥橨ays

    For the Love of Money

Credits

Presenter Margaret Mountford
Producer Sally Thomas
Director Jack MacInnes

Broadcasts

Margaret Mountford on Sappho

Dr Margaret Mountford answers questions on Sappho and why she has stood the test of time.

Gallery