Lyre
History
The ancient Sumerians invented the first lyres around 3200 BC.
The lyre is played by holding the instrument in one arm and plucking the strings with the other hand.
The lyre was a very important instrument in ancient Greece, and was made of turtle shells, with the strings being made from sheep gut. The lyre’s pegs were made of different materials – often metal (usually bronze), bone, or wood. Modern lyres are often made of wood with nylon strings.
Facts & Features
In Greek mythology, Hermes created the lyre and used it to steal fifty cows belonging to Apollo, the god of music. Hermes gave the lyre to Apollo when he became angry that his cows had been stolen. The lyre was a symbol of wisdom and temperance to the ancient Greeks.
The ancient Greeks used the lyre both as a solo instrument and in music ensembles. It was also used to accompany poetry, dance, and drama performances.
The lyre was played throughout Europe and the British Isles, and it is mentioned in ‘Beowulf ‘- the Old English epic poem written c 975 - 1010 AD.
In 2010, a piece of carved wood , thought to be from a lyre, was found in a cave on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. This fragment dates back 2300 years, making it the earliest surviving example of a stringed instrument in Europe.
In the 1950s, a clay tablet written in Cuneiform (Sumerian writing) was discovered in Ugarit in Syria. On it was the Hurrian Hymn - the oldest surviving written melody, and . the first known form of musical notation.The song is dedicated to Nikkal, the Hurrian goddess of the orchards, and is approximately 3400 years old.
Famous Players
Oswald Von Wolkenstein (1377-1445)
Guillaume de Machaut (c.1300-1377)
Johann Sebastian Bach. (1685-1750)
Music To Listen To
Gillaume de Machaut - Douce Dame Jolie
King Alfonso X - Cantigas de Santa Maria
Unknown - The Hurrian Hymn
Find Out
What is the difference between a lyre and a harp?
Which modern day country did the ancient Sumerians come from?
