Lyric poetry first emerged in Greece during the Archaic Era. Lyric poetry was distinct from the earlier narrative epics of Homer and Hesiod in several ways. Firstly, it was much shorter and employed different types of rhythm and meter. Secondly, lyric poetry was generally accompanied by music and often performed by large groups of people.

Lyric poetry was often accompanied by music and was much shorter than the epics of Homer and Hesiod. It is also generally characterized by a rhythmic diversity that was unprecedented at the time. Additionally, whilst the earlier narrative epics of Homer and Hesiod were primarily concerned with mankind’s relationship with the Gods, lyric poetry was more concerned with the feelings and motivations of individual Greeks. In this sense, lyric poetry may be understood as part of a greater cultural awakening of the importance of the individual in the Greek world (the legacy of which is still relevant in the modern western world).

During the Archaic Era there were many massive developments in the way that Greek thinkers understood the world around them. One such development was the revolutionary belief that nature operates according to a set of universal laws that are neither random nor esoteric. This represents a radical departure from earlier understanding which declared that nature operated according to the caprice of the Gods and was governed by seemingly random forces.

Sappho is one of the most famous lyric poets of the Archaic Era. Her poems focus heavily on romance and love and emphasize the feelings and motivations of individuals. In this sense she is indicative of a wider philosophical change going on in the Greek-speaking world during the Archaic Era — namely the celebration of the individual and the assertion of an individual’s rights and power.

The Homeric epics (The Iliad and The Odyssey) were written during the waning years of the Greek Dark Ages or at the beginning of the Archaic Era (depending on how you define these periods). The Homeric epics tell the tale of a war that took place during the Mycenaean Era, but they nonetheless reflect the social values that were present at the time of writing, during the Greek Dark Ages. This is why the Homeric epics feature such an emphasis on honor and noble behavior.

Aeschylus is most famous for his contributions to drama. He is one of the most famous tragedians in ancient Greek history and his plays are the earliest surviving examples of Greek tragedy. His most famous work is Oresteia.

Hercules performed the Ten Labors and famously wore the skin of the Nemean Lion, so he would be the best choice. Apollo was the god of music and medicine - not a hero at all - so he would not be a good choice. Perseus and Jason were both Greek heroes of great renown but they did not perform the Ten Labors, so they would not be good answers. Lastly, Paris of Troy played an important role in The Iliad but he did not perform the Ten Labors, so he would not be a good choice either.

The term Archaic Age means “Old-fashioned era.” The Archaic Age stretches from approximately 750 BCE to 500 BCE. The term “archaic” originates in scholars of art history. The artwork of the seventh and sixth centuries was deemed to be more “old-fashioned” and “less lifelike” than the artwork of the fifth and fourth centuries (the so-called Classical Age).

In the Homeric Epics, Zeus is shown to be highly concerned with the fate of his favorite warriors and seems to be openly rooting for certain humans to succeed. In the works of Hesiod, conversely, Zeus is presented as a far more circumspect and objective figure. The Zeus of Hesiod is primarily concerned with justice and with his duties as leader of the Gods.

Theognis of Megara is a famous ancient Greek poet who, most likely, lived in the sixth century BCE. His poetry takes for its general theme the topic of class anxiety. Theognis writes from the perspective of an aristocrat who fears the consequences of social mobility. Specifically, Theognis decries those “new-money” types who are marrying into the social elite.