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Who was Corinna and how was she connected with Pindar?

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Hear a reading of ancient Greek poet Pindar's first Olympic ode, commissioned by Sicilian prince Hiero — Pindar Pindar's first Olympic ode, its context, and the significance of the victory ode, or epinicion.

Corinna was a Greek lyric poet from Tanagra in Boeotia, known for her focus on local mythology.1

She is traditionally regarded as a contemporary and rival of the poet Pindar. According to ancient biographical accounts, their relationship was marked by the following interactions:12

Poetic Competitions: Corinna was said to have defeated Pindar in multiple poetic contests.2
Literary Advice: She reportedly critiqued Pindar’s tendency to overuse mythology in his work, famously advising him "to sow with the hand and not with the whole sack".2
Personal Conflict: The tradition suggests a degree of animosity between the two, noting that Pindar allegedly insulted Corinna by calling her a pig.2

While these stories are part of the ancient tradition, some modern scholars have questioned the timeline, suggesting Corinna may have lived as late as 200 BCE, which would make her a contemporary of Pindar impossible.1