Calliope is one of the Nine Muses of Olympus in Greek mythology. She is the eldest of the nine sisters and is usually assigned to the artistic sphere of epic poetry and eloquence. She is usually portrayed with a scroll or tablet, and a stylus. By Apollo, she was the mother of the Apollonic Muses. Many scholars write of her as having a voice that spreads "ecstatic harmony".
In mythology[]
Calliope was said to be the wisest of all of the Muses. The Muse bore two well-known sons, Orpheus and Linos.
Modern depictions[]
She was depicted in the Disney animation film, Hercules, as the main narrator, along with four of her sisters.
Gallery[]
Classical depictions[]
Paintings[]
The Muses Urania and Calliope (Closeup) by Simon Vouet
Calliope on a fresco from Pompeii
Calliope, muse of eloquence and epic poetry by Cesare Dandini
Statues[]
Statue of Calliope by Augustin Pajou
Statue of Calliope
Statue of Calliope found in Frascati
Drawings[]
Engraving of Calliope by Hendrik Goltzius
Drawing of Calliope
Homer and Calliope
Vases (images from Theoi)[]
A muse, maybe Calliope, with a lyre is sitting, while Apollo stands beside her.
A muse, supposedly Calliope, on Mount Helicon.
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A detail of a Muse playing the lyre, probably Calliope as her symbol is the lyre.
Apollo holds a laurel staff, with a muse next to his side, presumably Calliope.
Calliope collecting the head of Orpheus.
Metalwork[]
Bronze coin showing Calliope
Modern depictions[]
Calliope, the main narrator of Hercules.
Calliope (centre), with Thalia (far left), Cleo (mid-left), Melpomene (mid-right) and Terpsichore (far right)
| Muses | |
|---|---|
| Mousai Titanides | Aiode • Melete • Thelxinoe • Arkhe • Mnemosyne |
| Mousai Olympides | Calliope • Clio • Erato • Euterpe • Melpomene • Terpsichore • Urania • Polyhymnia • Thalia |
| Mousai Apollonides | Cephiso • Borysthenis • Hypate • Nete • Mese |