1. Music in the Ancient World
Greece and Rome

2. Music in the Biblical World
Many Old Testament references to music
David curing Saul with a harp
Psalms
Temples, worship services

3. Ancient Greek Society Rational, scientific way of thinking
City-state (polis)
Golden Age under Pericles
Construction of Parthenon, drama, philosophy of Socrates

4. Music in Ancient Greece
Most important venue for music was theater
Choruses were sung, provided commentary about action
A role in religious and civic rituals
Olympic games
Monophonic music (one line)

5. Greek music scales and notation
Different regions developed different “modes” or collections of notes/scales.
Tonoi (singular Tonos)
Epitaph of Seikilos

7. Instruments of Ancient Greece
Lyre
Aulos
Percussion (krotala and kumbala)

8. Music, the Cosmos, and the Soul
Pythagoras (6th century BCE)
Mathematical basis for music
Knowledge of music’s powers over emotion
Plato, aware of music’s power, became suspicious of certain kinds of music that could corrupt youth
Music education was VERY important
Educated citizen

9. Music of Ancient Rome
By 117 CE, Rome controlled all of the Mediterranean
Appropriated Greek culture
Notation did not survive, but literary accounts show music was important
Theater and civic rituals, gladiator fights, processions
Religious cults
Romans made significant advances in instrument-making
Brass instruments
Hydraulic organ
Cymbals
Flutes, pipes, and piccolos