Alexandra Spyrakos
211685500
GMK 1000: Elementary Modern Greek
Professor Themis Aravossitas
Wednesday, April 15th 2015

What is Greece?: Significance of Music within the Ancient Greek Culture

Abstract:

What is Greece? This questions can be answered in a variety of areas. The history of music in Greece plays a significant role in the history of the country. Because music played a integral role in the daily lives of the Ancient Greek citizens, it is evident that music has played a role in shaping the culture into what it is today. We live in a society where we are completely devoted and immersed in music. Whether it be a simple tune we hear on a radio or the hustle of city life, music is all around us. The way we react to music, is very similar to how music was in the ancient Greek times. Music allowed the citizens to express emotion, to worship, to prepare for sporting events, to mourn, to celebrate, and in essence to be happy. Music was their special gift from the gods, and they did everything in their power to make sure the gods understood their appreciation. They honored music and created an artistry that stands as a guiding role in, not only the history of the Greek culture, but also a significant role in the history of music in general.

What is Greece? This question can be explored in many different areas. From a political aspect to the beautiful geography, Greece offers a wide range of history and culture that one cannot pass on learning about. The music of Greece is as diverse and celebrated as it’s history. Music can be highly regarded as an integral part in the history of Greek culture. It is from the rich and elaborate history of Greek culture that has made the music we hear today special. Music is a universal language. No matter where it comes from, music is a natural part of human life, particularly the history. The history of music in Ancient Greece offers a significant attribute to musicality through the practice of music, its social functions, and its aesthetic qualities within the Greek culture. Music was such an integral part of the artistic life in Greece, that is was only natural to have resulted in a tremendous amount of importance throughout history.

The history of Greek music began with its origins in Ancient Greece, where music was an integral part of daily life. Mousiki (“μουσική”), greek term for ‘music’, covered not only music but also dance, literature, and the performance of poetry.[1] Music played a central role to the many activities through Greek life, including religious festivals, banquet gatherings, and added source of entertainment; it was also the object of scientific and philosophical inquiry. Although we have little knowledge of what ancient Greek music sounded like, there are fragments of musical scores, literary references, and the remains of musical instruments that allow us to distinguish a distinct sound. The Greeks believed that music had a beneficial effect on the mind and the body.[2] Music was a unifying element in Ancient Greek culture. Citizens from different social backgrounds practiced music, including soldiers, members of the working class, aristocrats, and the heroes and gods of mythology.

Greek music in ancient times was mainly monophonic, with little harmony or counterpoint. Monophonic is a musical term used to describe a piece of music with a single “part”, or vocal melody, with a solo instrumental accompaniment.[3] Greek musicians were known as the ‘makers of songs’, or melopoioi; creators of melos, which is described as being a composition of words, tune, and rhythm.[4] Many of the performances were performed in heterophony - a type of musical texture from simultaneous performances of melodic variated in the same tune.[5] Instruments embellished the melody while vocalists sang their part. Many pieces of music, with an elaborate melody and various marked rhythms, were intimately linked to the sound and imagery of greek poetry. Lyric poetry was very important to the Greeks. For the Greeks, it was the earliest attempt to express personal emotion; a personal comment on life. Instrumental music and the singing of hymns, regularly accompanied activities within daily life and formal acts of worship. Often music and dancing would accompany processions in the cities streets on special religious occasions, usually honoring the gods.

For the ancient Greeks, music was viewed as a gift from the gods. In ancient Greek mythology, it was believed that human creativity, was a result of divine inspiration from the muses; a group of goddesses.[6] It was believed that each muse was responsible for a specific area , including history, poetry, song, hymns, dance, etc.; the ‘hallmarks of civilization’. The well educated citizen was expected to be proficient in all areas of creative thought. Different instruments were attributed to a particular deities, for example, Hermes the lyre (harp-like instrument), Pan the syrinx (panpipes), and Athena the aulos (flute).[7] Greek mythology played a very important part in the exploration of music. The muses personified the various elements of music, and were said to entertain the gods on Mount Olympus with their divine music, dancing and singing. Other deities were important for their association with music, including Dionysos, the god of wine, Amphion and Thamyres famed by their skills playing the kithara, known as the guitar, and Orpheus signified as a talented singer and lyre player.[8] The great Greek god Apollo, was also believed to be a master of the lyre. The instruments of Ancient Greece played an important role in the significance of music.

Although the ancient Greeks were familiar with many kinds of instruments, the aulos and the lyre, were favored for composition and performance. In Ancient Greece, men were particularly trained to play these instruments, as well as singing and dance. The aulos, is a double reed instrument consisting of two parts: a mouthpiece and a resonator.[9] In various shapes and sizes, the instrument was usually played in pairs and had a unique sound and flexibility with pitch and dynamics. With evidence in many literary sources, there is an immense amount of detail about its origins, history, and construction. Many archaeological remains, including various paintings and sculptures, provide depictions of musicians and musical events where the aulos had been used. The aulos is often represented in Greek mythology as of Eastern origin. The earliest mentions of the aulos in literature was in Homer’s Iliad.

The Lyre was also the most important musical instrument used in the ancient Greek culture. The lyre was a small stringed instrument with seven strings, similar in appearance to the harp.[10] The instrument was played by being strummed with a plectrum, which is a type of ‘pick’, rather than being plucked like a harp. Each string varied in thickness and were held together with upright arms where the musician would hold vertically or on an angle. In Greek mythology, the lyre was depicted in many myths by Hermes and Apollo. Many of the performances were held during banquets, symposia (which were private parties), and religious ceremonies, where the lyre would be used as an accompaniment to singing or poetry.[11] Like the aulos, the lyre has been depicted in many archeological artifacts. There has been evidence of the lyre in frescos dating back to the Bronze Age (c. 2000 BCE), for example the Palace of Knossos in Crete, as well as geometric black-figure pottery where musicians are seen playing the lyre.[12] The lyre also play an important role in education. Both the aulos and the lyre have acted as models for many of the instruments used today including, guitar, flute, clarinet, and the recorder.

Music was an important aspect to education in Ancient Greece. Boys started to learn music at age six. With support from philosophers Plato and Aristotle, music was regarded in different ways as being a significant aspect in the development of a human being. Plato believed that music could influence ones ‘ethos’, which was believed to be ones ethical character or way of being and behaving.[13] He believed that the right kind of music could discipline the mind and arouse self discipline and courage. Aristotle saw music in a different way. He believed that music was purely for entertainment and less restricted. Aristotle viewed music not as a communicator of values, but as a leisure activity providing relaxation from labour and freedom from care.[14] Both philosophers were highly appreciated and looked upon by the citizens of Ancient Greece. Music theory also became an element of philosophical study, notably with the influence of Pythagoras. He believed that music had an effect with harmonious order reflecting the cosmos, and was deeply concerned on the influence and relationship music has on human behavior.[15] The Ancient Greeks believed that music had a therapeutic benefit, almost like medicinal powers over physical and mental illness. In addition, the Greeks also believed that music helped develop moral and emotional effects on the listener. Much of what philosophers have theorized about regarding music, has been used in many different studies done in our society today, regarding mental health or social behavior; ie. music therapy.

We live in a society where we are immersed in music. We use it to worship, to tell stories, to celebrate, to work, and to express our emotions. It is evident that music had an immense amount of significance within the Ancient Greek culture as it does on our own. Ancient Greek music remains one of the most important chapters in the History of Greek culture. The diverse and rich history of music in Ancient Greece offers a sense of pride the citizens had for their culture. Music was involved in every aspects of their lives. They were completely devoted to the exploration of musicality and artistry. They celebrated their love for music in social gatherings, religious events, and even sporting events. They had a deep devotion to the gods, and they used music to honor them. They combined literature and music as a form of entertainment. In conclusion, music was essential to the pattern and texture of Ancient Greek life and acts as of greatest significance to the history of Greece, and to the history of music.

Work Cited:

Cowan, J. (2000). Greece. In Garland Encyclopedia of World Music Volume 8: Europe Rice (Vol. 8). Routledge.

Hanning, B. A Concise History of Western Music . A. W. W. Norton & Company Studyspace, n.d. .

Hemingway, C , and Seán Hemingway. "Music in Ancient Greece". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/grmu/hd_grmu.htm (October 2001)

Landels, J. (2002). Music in Ancient Greece and Rome. Routledge.

Mark Cartwright. “Greek Music,” Ancient History Encyclopedia. Last modified January 05, 2013. http://www.ancient.eu /Greek_Music/

Mathiesen, Thomas. "Ancient Greek music." The Oxford Companion to Music. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press, accessed March 30, 2015, http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/subscriber/article/opr/t114/e260.

-----------------------
[1] Hanning, Barbara Russano. A Concise History of Western Music . A. W. W. Norton & Company Studyspace, n.d. .
[2] Hanning, B. A Concise History of Western Music . A. W. W. Norton & Company Studyspace, n.d. .
[3] Schmidt-Jones, C. The Textures of Music. Creative Commons. Rice University. http://cnx.org/contents/04ac529b-2695-4994-b5a6-22a3776d69e3@14/The_Textures_of_Music
[4] Landels, J. (2002). Music in Ancient Greece and Rome. Routledge.
[5] Schmidt-Jones, C. The Textures of Music. Creative Commons.
[6] Cartwright. M. “Greek Music,” Ancient History Encyclopedia. Last modified January 05, 2013. http://www.ancient.eu /Greek_Music/
[7] Mathiesen, T. "Ancient Greek music." The Oxford Companion to Music. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press, accessed March 30, 2015, http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/subscriber/article/opr/t114/e260.
[8] Ibid
[9] Hemingway, C. , Seán Hemingway. "Music in Ancient Greece". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/grmu/hd_grmu.htm (October 2001)
[10] Cartwright. M. “Greek Music,” Ancient History Encyclopedia. Last modified January 05, 2013. http://www.ancient.eu /Greek_Music/
[11] Landels, J. (2002). Music in Ancient Greece and Rome. Routledge.
[12] Hemingway, C., and Seán Hemingway. "Music in Ancient Greece". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/grmu/hd_grmu.htm (October 2001)
[13] Hanning, B. A Concise History of Western Music . A. W. W. Norton & Company Studyspace, n.d. .
[14] Ibid
[15] Cartwright. M. “Greek Music,” Ancient History Encyclopedia. Last modified January 05, 2013. http://www.ancient.eu /Greek_Music/