Who was the famous Greek lyricist who pioneered a new poetic form in the 7th century B.C.E.?

The choice of Archilochus as the answer is accurate because he is recognized as one of the earliest and most significant lyric poets of ancient Greece, particularly in the 7th century B.C.E. Archilochus is credited with pioneering a new poetic form that emphasized personal expression and emotional intensity, setting the foundation for future lyric poetry. His innovative use of poetic meters, including iambic and trochaic rhythms, allowed for greater variability and proximity to everyday speech, distinguishing his work from the epic poetry that preceded him.

Archilochus's poetry often reflects his personal experiences and subjective emotions, a shift from the more communal themes found in earlier epic traditions. This focus on the individual and personal narrative was groundbreaking and influenced later poets, solidifying his legacy in the realm of Greek lyric poetry.

In contrast, while Aeschylus was a prominent playwright and contributed greatly to drama, he was not a lyric poet. Pericles was a statesman noted for his leadership during the Golden Age of Athens, and Sappho, also a lyric poet, came later and is known for her contributions to lyric poetry but did not pioneer the form in the way Archilochus did.