Calliope (1869). Giuseppe Fagnani (Italian, 1819–1873). Oil on canvas. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Calliope was the eldest of the Muses, the goddesses of music, song and dance. In Classical times, when the Muses were assigned specific artistic spheres, Calliope was named Muse of epic poetry. In this guise she was portrayed holding a tablet and stylus or a scroll. She was also the goddess of eloquence, who bestowed her gift on kings and princes.