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In this episode of the Bristol Grammar School Classics Podcast, Dan Watkins and Andy Keen are joined by Eva Yemenakis, an English teacher, to explore Sappho and Ovid—two of the most intriguing and influential poets of the ancient world.

The discussion delves into Sappho’s fragmentary poetry, the ways in which scholars have interpreted (and misinterpreted) her work, and the parallels between Sappho and Emily Dickinson in terms of style, mystery, and reception. They also examine Ovid’s subversive approach to love poetry, his exile, and his enduring influence on literature, from Shakespeare to modern adaptations.

Along the way, the conversation touches on gender, sexuality, mythology, and the role of poetry in shaping emotions—from the physical and somatic experiences of love to the performative nature of poetic identity.