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Definition
Aulos
The aulos was a musical wind instrument played by the ancient Greeks. It was also known as the kalamos or libykos lotos, which referred to the material from which part of the instrument was made: respectively, the reed and the Libyan lotus...
Definition
Ancient Greek Music
Music (or mousike) was an integral part of life in the ancient Greek world, and the term covered not only music but also dance, lyrics, and the performance of poetry. A wide range of instruments was used to perform music which was played...
Definition
Marsyas
Marsyas the satyr, or silen, was seen as a mythological founder of aulos playing or a divine judge of it by the ancient Greeks. The way in which his aulos playing enraptured his audience was likened to the way in which Socrates mesmerised...
Definition
Ancient Greek Dance
In ancient Greece, dance had a significant presence in everyday life. The Greeks not only danced on many different occasions, but they also recognized several non-performative activities such as ball-playing or rhythmic physical exercise...
Definition
Muse
In Greek mythology, the nine Muses are goddesses of the various arts such as music, dance, and poetry. Blessed with wonderful artistic talents, they also possess great beauty, grace, and allure. Their gifts of song, dance, and joy helped...
Definition
Tympanon
The tympanon (tympanum in Latin) was the most popular frame-drum in ancient Greek music, producing a loud rumbling sound not far from the sound of the orchestral timpani drums today. This percussion instrument was played mainly by women on...
Interview
Interview with Michael Levy
Join World History Encyclopedia as they talk to Michael Levy, a prolific composer of the ancient lyre all about his inspiration and knowledge of the instrument. If you want to hear Michael perform, be sure to check out our video interview...
Collection
Daily Life in Ancient Greece
The ancient Greeks kept themselves busy and there were plenty of chores, distractions and entertainments available to keep daily life varied. Shopping in the markets of the agora, performing jury service, watching sporting events or listening...
Image
The Brauron Aulos
no. 57 shows the Brauron aulos, found at excavations at the temple site of Brauron in a holy pond. It is made of bone and dated to the end of the 6th C. - 5th C. No.s 55 + 56 are fragments of an aulos No.s 53 + 54 show two aulos players...
Image
Aulos Player
This fragment of an Attic red-figure plate depicts an aulos player, and clearly shows the strap which was worn to aid the playing of the instruments. The inscription says, "Hermocrates did this" National Archaeological Museum, Athens...