1. Chinese, Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Hebrew Music
Ancient Music
Chinese, Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Hebrew Music

2. Introduction
Music was used for religious ceremonies, military operations, work, rituals and dance.
Each civilization developed their own instruments and styles
Instruments were made of materials that were available to people
Music was also used for communication, especially during military battles and to transfer warnings between villages
Music dates back to the very earliest civiliaztions

3. Greek Music The word music comes from the Greek word “mousike”
Music was played at festivals, contests, when worshiping Greek Gods and plays.
Music was played at the first Olympic games
Vocal music as well as instrumental

4. Greek Aulos
Aulos – wooden flute; made of reeds, wood, metal or bone

5. Greek Kithara Kithara (also known as the lyre) Stringed instrument
Can be made in different sizes with a varied number of strings
Often accompanied singing and in ensembles with other instruments

6. Roman Music Mostly used for military and entertainment purposes
Made the first brass instruments
Used music to worship Gods but did NOT think is was the only way to do this
Created large brass instruments groups

7. Roman Cornu horn Used by the Roman military
The Cornu player coded the general's orders into signals and played them over the field during battles.

8. Chinese Music
Oldest music evidence found as far back as 4000 years ago
Used many string instruments
Used the pentatonic scale (5 note scale)
Music used for many ceremonies and rituals

9. Chinese Zithers Played by plucking the strings
Can have anywhere from six to twenty-eight strings
Set on a table or on the players lap
Can come in many different shapes and sizes

10. Egyptian Music
Highly developed Music played an important part of religious worship in ancient Egypt, and had a central role in the religious rituals, hymns and prayers.
Had percussion, wind and stringed instruments
The highest status belonged to temple musicians which were mostly women
Had entertainment musicians for parties and festivals, they were accompanied by dancers

11. Egyptian Instruments Instruments similar to the Lyre and Harp
Brass cymbals or different sizes
Hasosra - a trumpet-like instrument
horns
Singing was very important

12. Hebrew Music Music was mostly used for religious ceremonies
Instruments from the string, woodwind and percussion families
Many music references found in the Old Testament of the bible
Men mostly played ancient instruments

13. Hebrew Shofar
Shofar (Ram’s Horn) – used as a call to worship, for special religious celebrations, in ancient times it was also used as a call to war

14. What to know
Ancient music has been around since the beginning of civilization – Neanderthal man most likely used music in some way
Instruments were made from materials available to people
Singing and instruments were both important
Music was used for worship, communication, celebrations and entertainment
Evidence of actual instruments, writings and songs have been found by archeologists