Alcaeus was an ancient Greek poet from the island of Lesbos, active around the 7th century BCE. He is known for his lyric poetry, which often expressed themes of love, politics, and personal reflection. Alcaeus's work is characterized by its emotional depth and musical quality, and he is considered one of the earliest representatives of the lyric genre. Much of Alcaeus's poetry was written in the Sapphic meter, which he shared with his contemporary, the famous poet Sappho. Although only fragments of his work survive today, Alcaeus's influence on later poets and the development of Greek literature is significant, making him a key figure in the literary history of ancient Greece.