lyrikos

Lyrikos (Greek: λυρικός) is a term from ancient Greek that functions both as an adjective meaning “lyrical” or “pertaining to the lyre,” and as a noun for a lyric poet. The root comes from lyra, the lyre, the instrument with which early Greek poets often accompanied their songs. In English, the related words lyric, lyrics, and lyricist derive from the same lineage.

In classical Greek usage, a lyrikos was a poet who composed lyric poetry—short, personal songs designed to be sung with a lyre or similar accompaniment. This tradition contrasted with epic poets, who crafted long narrative poems, and with tragedians. Lyric poetry covered a range of forms and themes, including love, personal reflection, and praise or lament, and it was performed in various social settings, from private gatherings to public festivals.

Prominent early lyric poets include Sappho and Alcaeus of Lesbos, active in the 7th–6th centuries BCE, followed by later figures such as Stesichorus, Pindar, Bacchylides, and Anacreon. Their work helped establish “lyric poetry” as a distinct genre in ancient Greek literature, often monodic (performed by a single vocalist) or choral (accompanied by a chorus).

In modern usage, the Greek term λυρικός retains the sense of “lyrical.” In English, lyric can describe either a form of poetry or the words of a song, while a lyricist is the author of song lyrics. The concept remains closely tied to expressive, personal, and musical language.