A brief survey of the role of music teaching in the ancient world. The inclusion of music in societies and among peoples, as well as the culturally perceived value of music education is highlighted in the presentation. Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, and other geographic regions are examined based on the role of music learning and participation among the people. The presentation is punctuated with quotes by noted scholars and philosophers such as Aristotle, Plato, and Boethius. Material compiled by Dr. Brian Ebie.

1. Music Education in the Ancient
World

2. Ancient Greece
Greeks arrived to the
Mediterranean area around
1000 B.C.
From this culture emerged
a musical system
including other arts such
as poetry and dance.
Greek music was
influenced by music from
other cultures as well.

3. Hymns and Songs
Unlike Sculpture and Architecture, not
much Ancient Greek music has survived
Some songs and Hymns have survived on
paintings, Sculpture, vases, buildings,
tombs and other artifacts.
Hymns were songs of praise to Gods such
as Apollo and Dionysus.

4. Fragments of Ancient Greek song
www.classics.uc.edu/music/

5. Greek Music Theory
Greek music theory, including ideas about
pitch, became the basis for Western music
theory.
Almost entirely improvised
Melody and Rhythm were linked to the sound
and meter of Greek poetry.
Disciplines of harmonics and pitch , and
concepts of notes, intervals and scales were
defined and explained by Greek writers.

6. Pythagoras
Mathematician who
found numerical
relationships between
pitches.
Acoustical
observations.
Octaves
Scientific aspects of
music

7. Musical Empires

8. Sparta
Warrior city
Physical training was most
important.
Musical capitol of Ancient
Greece in the seventh and
sixth Centuries.
Musical competitions
reached a high artistic level.
Music not used for
Aesthetic value, but as
accompaniment to war
activities.
Music helped to develop
loyalty to the State.

9. Two Schools
Beginning of seventh
century.
Vocal and instrumental
solos
End of seventh century
and beginning of sixth
century.
Choral lyrics
Well known poets and
musicians

10. Ancient Greek Lyre
Made of turtle shell
and strings
Similar to guitar sound
Accompaniment to
choirs and soloists

11. The Aulos

12. Athens
Dominated in the end of
sixth and beginning of
fifth centuries.
Less violent, more
civilized lifestyle.
“Music” came to mean
“fine arts” including art,
poetry, sculpture and
dance.
Choral singing
Religious ceremonies

13. Consequences of Competitions
Excellence in performance was key
Competitions were emphasized
Choirs began hiring professionals
Caused decline of amateur musicians
Decline of Music Education in Greek
Schooling

14. Decline of Ancient Music Education
Competitions and Festivals created a
growth in virtuosity
Music became more complex and difficult
Aristotle warned against too much training in
general music.
• Created a reaction against technical virtuosity and
musical complexity.
 By the early Christian era, Greek music was much
simplified

15. Music in Greek Education

16. Aristotle and Plato
Aristotle and Plato
believed that an
education system that
stressed gymnastics to
discipline the body
and music to discipline
the mind could create
the “right kind of
person”.

17. Aristotle vs. Plato
Music affects behavior
Imitation
Music that imitates a
certain passion arouses
that passion in a
person.
The right kind of music
made you the right
kind of person.
Only certain modes
Music could purge one
of emotions through
Catharsis.
Development of Body
and Mind should be
balanced.

18. Plato
“Education in music is
most sovereign,
because more than
anything else rhythm
and harmony find their
way to the innermost
soul and take strongest
hold upon it, bringing
with them and
imparting grace…”

19. Aristotle
“…our fathers admitted
music into education
not on the ground
either of its necessity
or utility…[but] for
intellectual enjoyment
in leisure…”

20. Rome

21. The Roman Empire

22. Music Education in Ancient Rome
Romans conquered the Greeks and
absorbed much of their culture including
their education system.
Romans were not innovative in music.
Music was produced by professionals
Most were slaves from other countries.
Not respected by educators

23. Roman Attitude towards Music
Music was not considered appropriate
activity for boys
Girls were hardly ever allowed to
participate in musical activities.
Music Education was not strongly included
in the curriculum.
Music Education was not highly thought of
by Educators.

24. Secondary Education in Ancient
Rome
Only sons of
Aristocrats had access
to secondary
education.
Mathematic and
Science students who
were gifted were
allowed to study music
to enhance their
scientific studies.

25. Who were the Musicians?
Not Aristocrats!
Artisans
Professionals
Slaves; allowed to
study music in order to
fulfill their duties.

26. Quintilian
Music was studied by the sons of the
Aristocracy as part of science education.
Quintilian recommended the study of music
to learn effective declamation and
movement.

27. Ancient Roman Instruments

28. More Roman Instruments
Tympanum, Dronepipe, Double Aulos Roman Cornu

29. Other Roman Instruments

30. Transition to the Early Christian Era

31. Decline of Roman Empire
With the decline of the Roman
Empire, the musical heritage of
Ancient Greece was transmitted
to the West through the Early
Christian Church.
Some concepts of Ancient
Greek Music Theory were not
understood, and therefore were
not transmitted in full.
Some concepts were lost
completely, until rediscovered
by scholars in the 15th
and 16th
Centuries.
Simplification of Music

32. St. Augustine -354-430 A.D.

33. St. Augustine’s Influence
Related Classical
Greek thought to
music for the early
Church.
Studied music’s ability
to affect people’s
emotions.
also valued music for
it’s scientific qualities.
Reason vs. Emotion

34. Boethius- 475-525 A.D.
Musicians should approach music not through the
senses but through the reasoning mind and
science.
Quadrivial discipline
The Fundamentals of Music
On the highest level music communicates
truth=reason
On the lowest level music communicates emotion

35. Trivium vs. Quadrivium
Three paths
Grammar
Logic
Rhetoric
*used arts in utilitarian
manner-for practical use
in daily life.
Four paths
Geometry
Math
Astronomy
Music
*spiritual applications

36. Quiz
Why study Ancient Music Education?
In Sparta, music was used to help develop loyalty
to the State. How is this done today?
Why would music education in Ancient Greek
schooling be affected by professionalism and
virtuosity?
Who were the musicians in Ancient Rome?
How was Ancient Music Education transmitted to
the West after the Roman Empire fell?