Early Greek poets lives : the shaping of the tradition Hesiod. The tradition Origin and family of Hesiod Genealogies of Hesiod Hesiods life the story of Hesiods death The works of Hesiod and on Hesiod the date of Hesiod Formulaic themes and orphic pythagorean influences in Hesiods tradition Two modern views on the tradition of Hesiod Conclusion Stesichorus. The tradition Stesichorus family Stesichorus home and travels Stesichorus poetry and music Blindness Helen and the Palinode Stesichorus and politics Stesichorus name and his death The date of Stesichorus The connections with the Pythagorean tradition Formulaic elements in the tradition Conclusions Archilochus. The tradition Aarchilochus family and his friends Archilochus home journeys and contests Archilochus encounter with the muses The oracles in the tradition of Archilochus Archilochus and the cult of gods Lycambes and his daughters the death of Archilochus The cult of Archilochus Ancient criticism of Archilochus The date of Archilochus Traditional elements in Archilochus biography Conclusion Hipponax. The tradition Hipponax origin home town and family Hipponax inventions and the story of Iambe The quarrel with Boupalus The death of Hipponax Ancient criticism and editions of Hipponax The date of Hipponax Formulaic themes in Hipponax tradition Conclusion Terpander. The tradition Terpanders home and origin Terpander in Sparta The citharodes of lesbos The death of Terpander Terpanders poetry and music The date of Terpander Formulaic themes in Terpanders tradition Conclusion Sappho. The tradition Ancient portraits and appearance of Sappho Sapphos home and family Sappho and Phaon her exile and death Sapphos reputation circle and rivals Sapphos inventions and music The ancient editions of Sapphos poetry and the treatises on her The date of Sappho Conclusions The formation of biographical traditions. Sources Time Formulaic themes Conclusion