Calliope
nymphCalliope was the chief of the nine Muses, presiding over epic poetry — she inspired Homer and was the mother of Orpheus.
The Myth
Calliope was the most distinguished Muse. She inspired the Iliad and the Odyssey. Her son Orpheus inherited her musical genius. She settled the dispute between Aphrodite and Persephone over Adonis. She was depicted with a writing tablet and stylus, or carrying a scroll of epic verse. As the Muse of epic, she presided over the highest form of Greek poetry.
Children
Orpheus, Linus
Symbols
Fun Fact
A calliope (the steam organ) was named after her — its powerful sound matches the grandeur of epic poetry.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth:
Explore Further
Adonis
heroAdonis was a youth of such extraordinary beauty that Aphrodite herself fell in love with him — his...
Aphrodite
godGoddess of love and beauty, born from the sea foam. Aphrodite's power to inspire desire was so...
Mnemosyne
titanThe Titaness who personified memory, mother of the nine Muses. Without Mnemosyne, there could be no...
Orpheus
heroThe greatest musician in Greek mythology, whose playing could charm animals, trees, and even...
Persephone
godDaughter of Demeter and queen of the underworld. Her annual return from Hades brings spring; her...
Zeus
godSupreme ruler of the Olympian gods and lord of the sky. Zeus overthrew his father Kronos and...