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Music On Greek Theatre And Religion

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Heather Day
Dr. Proksch
MULT 2340
November 28, 2016
Music in Greek Theatre and Religion
Music was a large part of everyday life in Ancient Greece. The people thought of music as a gift from their gods, associating different instruments with specific gods. Their term for music was not limited strictly to vocal and instrumental melody, but referred to dance, lyrics, and even poetry reading. Music was brought into many facets of life for Ancient Greek citizens, from weddings and funerals, to banquets and religious festivals. Education and Drama were also parts of Ancient Greek life to which music was integral.
Many of the instruments used in Ancient Greek music were thought to be created by the gods. The lyre by Hermes, the aulos by Athena, and the panpipes by Pan. The nine muses personified the various aspects of music in the broader sense of the term. Calliope represented epic poetry and rhetoric, Cleo’s domain was history, Erato signified singing, Euterpe represented lyric poetry, Melpomene’s significance was in singing tragedy, Polymnia’s domain was hymns to the pantheon and to Greek heroes, Terpsichore delighted in dancing, Thalia signified comedy, and lastly Urania represented astronomy. The nine muses were born daughters of Zeus and the titan Mnemosyne after the two copulated for nine consecutive nights. Apollo led a chorus comprised of the nine muses, and they are often associated with him.
The auloi were primarily used in worship of Dionysos, the Greek god of wine,

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