In Greek mythology, Erato /ˈɛrətoʊ/ (Ancient Greek: Ἐρατώ) is one of the Greek Muses. The name would mean "desired" or "lovely", if derived from the same root as Eros, as Apollonius of Rhodes playfully suggested in the invocation to Erato that begins Book III of his Argonautica.Erato is the Muse of lyric poetry, especially romantic and erotic poetry. In the Orphic hymn to the Muses, it is Erato who charms the sight.