An Offering and A Poem: Nossis, Greek Anthology 6.265

O sacred Juno,

who often descends from heaven

to mingle with us in sweet-smelling Laconia, accept this linen cloak

Woven by Cleocha’s daughter Theophilis,

Along with her famous daughter Nossis.

 Juno veneranda, Lacinium quae thure-fragrans

saepe coelitus deveniens aspicis,

accipe byssinam vestem, quam tibi cum filia praeclara

Nosside texuit Theophilis, gnata Cleochae.

 

Ἥρα τιμήεσσα, Λακίνιον ἃ τὸ θυῶδες

πολλάκις οὐρανόθεν νεισομένα καθορῇς,

δέξαι βύσσινον εἷμα, τό τοι μετὰ παιδὸς ἀγαυᾶς

Νοσσίδος ὕφανεν Θευφιλὶς ἁ Κλεόχας. 

--Nossis, Greek Anthology vi.265; Translated into Latin by Friedrich Duebner

 Nossis was considered among the famous nine women poets of ancient Greek literature. She lived in Locris (southern Italy) during the 3^rd century. Several of her poems are preserved in the Greek Anthology; like that of her literary predecessor Sappho, Nossis’ poetry provides great insight into the lives of women in the ancient world.