The Arcadian poet Anyte of Tegea lived at the beginning of the third century BC. Much of the poetry we have from the Alexandrian period come from what we call the Greek Anthology, a collection that grew out of a "garland" of epigrams collected by Meleager of Gadara (c.90 BC). 24 of her epigrams survive, I have posted a selection below.



This is the site of the Cyprian, since it is agreeable to her
to look ever from the mainland upon the bright sea
that she may make the voyage good for sailors. Around her the sea
trembles looking upon her polished image.
(set up on a temple to Aphrodite facing the sea)


Instead of bridal bed and holy wedding songs
for you, on this marble tomb your mother
set a virgin your image in size and beauty,
Thersis; so you are greeted even though dead.


No longer will I take delight in floating seas,
and toss up my head, raising it from the depths,
Nor will I snort and leap about the ship's beautiful beak,
delighting in the figurehead, my likeness.
The purple swell of the sea cast me upon the shore,
and I lie along this narrow beach.
(Epitaph of a dolphin)


The children have put purple
Reins on you, he goat, and a
Bridle in your bearded mouth.
And they play at horse races
Round a temple where a god
Gazes on their childish joy.



Biogrpahy and translations come from Diotima, Kenneth Rexroth: Translations from Greek and Latin, and Anyte of Tegea.