Engraving of Calliope, Greek Muse of Epic Poetry, from a series entitled: The Nine Muses (plate 1) by Hendrik Goltzius, 1592. In Greek mythology, Calliope was the Muse of epic poetry, and is believed to be Homer's muse, the inspiration for the Odyssey and the Iliad. Calliope is usually seen with a writing tablet in her hand. At times, she is depicted as carrying a roll of paper or a book or as wearing a gold crown. She is the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne. Her sisters include Melpomene (muse of tragedy), Clio (muse of history), Euterpe (muse of music and lyrical poetry), Terpsichore (muse of dancing), Erato (muse of erotic poetry), Thalia (muse of comedy), Polyhymnia (muse of hymns), and Urania (muse of astronomy).