| An examination of fundamental issues concerning the literary oeuvre of the Cretan poet Stephanos Sachlikis, namely: textual tradition and the dating of works; the poet’s biographical details; the way in which he composed poetic cycles; the content, style and genre of each cycle, and the testimony each provides of its own era. The main features of Sachlikis’ poems are their realism and satirical-didactic mood; an ironic stance towards the clergy; the use of vernacular language and imitation of folk tradition. These particular features place the Cretan poet’s texts close to European pre-Renaissance literary output. |