See also sigma 108, and generally OCD4 s.v. (by Margaret Williamson). Further bibliography below; translations at web address 1.
[1] Eres[s]os, on the SW coast of the Aegean island of Lesbos.
[2] 612-609 BCE.
[3] See delta 1496, sigma 1095, pi 1659.
[4] "Kerkylas from Andros": these names seem to be bawdy puns. "Kerkylas" is unattested elsewhere and is apparently derived from kerkos, penis; Andros, while a real island, also means "of [a] man". Thus, the Suda claims that the famous Lesbian poet was married to "Dick Allcock from the Isle of Man," in Holt Parker's translation (309). Sappho appeared as a character in numerous Greek comedies (see Campbell, 27), and Aly suggests that these may be the original source of "Kerkylas from Andros."
[5] "Companions" translates hetairai, a word which can also mean "courtesans": see epsilon 3265, epsilon 3266.
[6] "Friends" translates philai, which as an adjective means "beloved." LSJ s.v. diabole translate it as "false accusation, slander." This leaves uncertain whether, in any given instance, the accusations made are actually false or true; they are, however, invariably malicious in intent.
[7] "Friendship" translates philia, which can also mean "love."
[8] For the last-named cf. epsilon 3589. On the whole question of Sappho's "pupils," see Parker.
[9] An instrument for striking the lyre: see generally M.L. West, Ancient Greek Music (Oxford 1992) index s.v., esp 65-68. The present claim is a very odd one; Campbell suggests that there may be a confusion with pectis, a type of harp; cf. West, op.cit. 71-2.