Engraving of Erato, Greek Muse of Erotic Poetry, from a series entitled: The Nine Muses (plate 7) by Hendrik Goltzius, 1592. In Greek mythology, Erato Erato is the Muse of lyric poetry, especially love and erotic poetry. In the Orphic hymn to the Muses, it is Erato who charms the sight. Since the Renaissance she is often shown with a wreath of myrtle and roses, holding a lyre, or a small kithara, a musical instrument that Apollo or she herself invented. She is the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne. Her sisters include Calliope (muse of epic poetry), Melpomene (muse of tragedy), Euterpe (muse of music and lyrical poetry), Clio (muse of history), Terpsichore (muse of dancing), Thalia (muse of comedy), Polyhymnia (muse of hymns), and Urania (muse of astronomy).