Music of Ancient Greece

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 were used to perform music which was played on all manner of occasions such as religious ceremonies, festivals, private drinking parties (symposia), weddings, funerals, and during athletic and military activities. Music was also an important element of Greek education and dramatic performances held in theatres such as plays, recitals, and competitions. The Greeks believed that music could have a beneficial effect on both the mind and body of the listener. Instruments For the ancient Greeks, music was viewed as quite literally a gift from the gods. -The invention of specific instruments is attributed to particular deities:  -Hermes the lyre -Pan the syrinx (panpipes) -Athena the aulos (flute). -The oldest surviving Greek musical instruments are bone auloi which date from the Neolithic Age (7th-4th millennium BCE) and were found in western Macedonia, Thessaly, and Mykonos.

Ancient Greek aulos Oldest complete Ancient Greek song: https://youtu.be/d31jgilfzgQ

Greek Dance Greeks had an appreciation for beautiful things, and they believed that music and dance were among the most beautiful parts of life. Music seems to have been a part of almost everything that Greeks did. It’s possible that the Greeks valued good dancing so much because they believed that it was invented by the gods.  They believed it was a gift that the gods only gave to certain humans. Dancing was often a part of religious ceremonies.  They had many public festivals through the year, and they almost always included dancing. -Religious dances (called Apollonian)were usually very simple and involved the dancer swaying gently.  -Were performed with instruments such as lyres, lutes, and kitharas.  -These dances might also be performed at funerals.  -Greeks also had a more energetic dance, called Dionysian dance.  Greek dancing included singing.  The leader of the dance sang a statement, and another group repeated the statement.  This is where we get the idea for a chorus. Many Greek dances involved dancers in a circle. In fact, the word “chorus” originally meant a sacred ring dance. 

Video – Ancient Greek Dances https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYx-Pame-aQ