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 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 education and Greek drama performances held in theatres such as plays, recitals, and competitions.
More about: Ancient Greek MusicDefinition
Timeline
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c. 5000 BCEThe first aulos musical instruments are carved from bone.
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2700 BCE - 2300 BCEThe first depiction in art of the aulos musical instrument appears in Cycladic sculpture.
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2000 BCEThe first examples of the lyre in the Bronze Age Aegean occur in the Cyclades and on Minoan Crete.
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1500 BCE - 1450 BCEThe 'Harvester Vase' of Minoan origin depicts a sistrum player.
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1420 BCE - 1300 BCEClay dancing figures including a rare female lyre player are made in Minoan Palaikastro.
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c. 1400 BCELyres across the Aegean assume S-shaped arms and become more decoratively carved, most often with sculpted birds.
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1250 BCE - 1200 BCEA Linear B tablet from Greek Thebes mentions lyre players as members of the royal palace staff.
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700 BCEThe study of music theory begins in ancient Greece.
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c. 700 BCESparta, Argos and Paros hold the first documented musical competitions in Greece.
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c. 550 BCEThe silver drachma of Delos depicts a lyre - symbolic of Apollo - on its reverse side.
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548 BCE - 544 BCEBirth of Greek lyric poet Lasus of Hermione.
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c. 400 BCETheban musicians invent a more sophisticated aulos with metal keys.
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c. 350 BCEAristoxenos writes his theory of music treatise 'Harmonic Elements'.
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328 BCEHerodoros of Megara wins the first of ten consecutive trumpet competitions at the Olympic Games.
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c. 100 BCECoins of Kos and Thespiai depict a lyre on their reverse side.
