The word music comes from the Muses, the daughters of Zeus and patron goddesses of creative and intellectual endeavors. Ancient Greek myths never codified into one form exist as several different versions across multiple centuries. These variations lead to contradictions among authors and even within the same author's work. According to these stories, music, instruments, and aural arts are attributed to divine origin. The art of music was a gift of the gods to men. Apollo was prominently considered the god of music and harmony. Several legendary gods and demigods created aspects of music or contributed to its development. Some gods represented specific elements of music. The performance of music integrated into many modes of Greek storytelling including drama and poetry. There are numerous ancient Greek myths related to musicians. Amphion learned music from Hermes and built Thebes by moving stones with his golden lyre. Orpheus played so magically that he could soothe wild beasts. The Orphic creation myths have Rhea playing on a brazen drum to compel man's attention to the oracles of the goddess. Hermes showed Apollo his newly invented tortoise-shell lyre and played such a ravishing tune that he was forgiven at once for stealing cattle. Apollo won musical victories over Marsyas and Pan.
Social And Religious Functions
Music played an integral role in ancient Greek society from marriages and funerals to religious ceremonies and theatre. Pericles' teacher Damon said according to Plato in the Republic that when fundamental modes of music change, the fundamental modes of the state change with them. Music and gymnastics comprised the main divisions in one's schooling. The word 'music' expressed the entire education. Instrumental music served a religious and entertaining role as it often accompanied religious events, rituals, and festivals. A popular type of piece to be played while drinking at symposia was the skolion. Before and after these drinking parties, religious libations were made to deities like Zeus. These offerings were often accompanied by a special libation melody called the spondeion. An aulos player often accompanied this melody. Music occupied an important role in Greek sacrificial ceremonies. The sarcophagus of Hagia Triada shows that the aulos was present during sacrifices as early as 1300 BC. Music was also present during times of initiation, worship, and religious celebration playing very integral parts of the sacrificial cults of Apollo and Dionysus. Music along with intoxication of potions, fasting, and honey was integral in preparing for and catalyzing divination. Music would often induce prophets into religious ecstasy and revelation so much so that the expression for making music and prophesying were identical in ancient Greek. Instruments were also present in wartime though it may not have been considered music entirely. Specific notes of the trumpet dictated commands to soldiers on the battlefield. The aulos and percussion instruments accompanied verbal commands given to oarsmen by boatswains.