No area of ancient Greek literature has been more studied over the last few decades than "lyric poetry", which conventionally includes poetry sung by choruses or soloists accompanied by the lyre or aulos (flute). Besides its literary significance, lyric poetry is also a major resource for understanding the culture and history of Archaic Greece, especially the seventh and sixth centuries BC.

This volume brings together eighteen of the best and most influential essays to be published on lyric poetry over the last four decades, three of which are here translated into English for the first time. Authored by experts on Greek lyric poetry from the UK, Europe, and the USA - including Gregory Nagy, Claude Calame, and Malcolm Davies, among several others - the papers cover a wide range of general themes, ranging from studies of genre and the poetic persona to performance and interpretation, and also offer illuminating case studies of individual poets, from Alcman and Alkaios to Sappho and Simonides. Collated here in a single volume and prefaced by a thorough and up-to-date synoptic introduction by the volume editor, himself a recognised authority on the subject, the plurality of critical voices and perspectives offers both scholars and students an accessible yet comprehensive and insightful overview of the field.