The five volumes in the Loeb Classical Library edition of Greek Lyric contain the surviving fragments of solo and choral song. This poetry was not preserved in medieval manuscripts, and few complete poems remain. Later writers quoted from the poets, but only so much as suited their needs; these quotations are supplemented by papyrus texts found in Egypt, most of them badly damaged. The high quality of what remains makes us realise the enormity of our loss.
Volume I presents Sappho and Alcaeus. Volume II contains the work of Anacreon, composer of solo song; the Anacreontea; and the earliest writers of choral poetry, notably the seventh-century Spartans Alcman and Terpander. Stesichorus, Ibycus, Simonides, and other sixth-century poets are in Volume III. Bacchylides and other fifth-century poets are in Volume IV along with Corinna (although some argue that she belongs to the third century). Volume V contains the new school of poets active from the mid-fifth to the mid-fourth century and also collects folk songs, drinking songs, hymns, and other anonymous pieces.
- preface vii
- introduction: anacreon, anacreontea 3
- select bibliography 19
- anacreontea 162
- comparative numeration 248
- introduction: choral lyric poetry 261
- select bibliography 270
- olympus: testimonia 272
- thaletas: testimonia 320
- polymnestus: testimonia 330
- comparative numeration 507
- index of authors and sources 523
- general index 535
- Volume I: Sappho and Alcaeus LCL 142
- Volume III: Stesichorus, Ibycus, Simonides, and Others LCL 476
- Volume IV: Bacchylides, Corinna, and Others LCL 461
- Volume V: The New School of Poetry, Anonymous Songs and Hymns LCL 144