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Aeolic dimeter

Meter
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A brief metrical line containing two Aeolic feet, often used in classical strophic structures for lyrical or emotional emphasis.

Detailed Definition
Aeolic dimeter is a two-foot line typical of Aeolic stanzas, often combining dactyls, trochees, and spondees in flexible patterns; used by Sappho and Alcaeus, it supports intimate, musical expression and is foundational to the Sapphic and Alcaic stanzaic forms.
Example
Example in poetry:
Sappho’s “Hymn to Aphrodite” uses Aeolic dimeter in choral stanzas; Aeolic dimeter in Alcaeus’s drinking songs alternates with glyconics; modern adaptation in Josephine Balmer’s translations; Aeolic dimeter typically: x – u u – u – x
Additional Notes
Two-metron Aeolic line. Variable syllable count (typically 8-9). Used in Greek lyric choruses. Requires understanding of classical quantitative meter for proper analysis.
Also Known As
Aeolic two-foot line Greek lyric dimeter Lesbian dimeter Aeolic short line Glyconic dimeter
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