Athenaeus, a native of Naucratis, who flourished about 230 A.D., quotes these verses as an example of the poets' custom of invoking Aphrodite in their pledges. Applying them to himself and his fellow-guests, he adds the words τούτοισι τοῖς ἑταίροις ἐμοῖς γε καὶ σοῖς. Some scholars believe that Sappho actually wrote—
ταῖσδε ταῖς ἔμαις ἐτάραισι καὶ σαῖς,
For these my companions and thine.
Aphrodite was called Cypris, 'the Cyprian,' because it was mythologically believed that when she rose from the sea she was first received as a goddess on the shore of Cyprus (Homeric Hymns, vi.). Sappho seems to be here figuratively referring to the nectar of love.
6
Ἤ σε Κύπρος καὶ Πάφος ἤ Πάνορμος.
Or Cyprus and Paphos, or Panormus [holds] thee.
If thee Cyprus, or Paphos, or Panormos.
J. A. Symonds, 1883.
From Strabo, about 19 A.D. Panormus (Palermo) in Sicily was not founded till after Sappho's time, but it was a common name, and all seaports were under the special protection of Aphrodite.