CALLIOPE (muse of epic poetry)

This marriage also produced the musician Linus, though some accounts attributed Linus to Apollo rather than Oeagrus.⁸ Other traditions claimed she was the mother of Rhesus, the Corybantes, or even the poet being discussed in certain contests.^9,10,11 Despite her own immortality, Calliope endured the heavy sorrow of losing her son Orpheus, a grief that marked her life with profound loss.^12,5

In the groves of song, Calliope served as the muse of martial song, capable of recounting the specific deaths caused by Turnus's sword.^13,14 She was requested to begin the tale of Gradivus's military actions and was commanded to sing about Zeus, the Alpheus river, and Pelops.^13,6 Her inspiration was considered loftier than any other source, drawn from a fountain whose draught elevated the spirits of those who partook of it.¹³ When the Muses chose her to manage a contest, she tuned the lyre strings with her thumb and sang lines in concert with the struck strings.⁷

Calliope attended upon honored princes, helping ensure they spoke with gracious and sweet words, and she granted the poet an outstanding honor.^15,2 She spoke comforting words to Thetis to help her forget her pain and stop grieving excessively, offering wisdom to her listeners.^5,16 Promising to inspire minstrels to sing of the dead hero's glory, she mentioned her sisters who would also contribute to the songs.⁵ Her language won the approval of listeners through its exceeding beauty.³

The Lokrians of the West held Calliope in high honor, recognizing her as the queen of the groves of song.^17,13 Most myth writers believed she was a virgin, yet her codex relations listed Zeus, Apollo, Ares, Achelous, Strymon, Magnes, and Oeagrus as her consort or lover.³ Driving a well-made chariot, she remained the chief of the Muses, possessing steadfast wisdom.^6,4,5