Lyre

thumb|A lyre The lyre (from Greek λύρα) is a stringed musical instrument of the harp type. Lyres originated in the Middle East more than four and a half millennia ago. Quotes ... they were dining delightedly, these neighbours and kinsmen of the famous Menelaus, under his tall roof-tree. Of the party one was a minstrel who sang divinely to his lyre. As soon as his preluding chords were heard two clowns danced in among the guests and threw cartwheels upon the hall floor. T. E. Lawrence Thomas Edward Lawrence's translation of Homer's Odyssey, published in The Odyssey London Collector's Library 2004 1904633374 https://books.google.com/books?id=qhQAywOYz10C&pg=PA64 64 (translation 1st published in 1932) As instruction in playing the lyre was a basic part of Education in ancient Greece Athenian education, men and women could employ the instrument for simple recreation, the accompaniment of dancing, music in wedding ceremonies, or singing at symposia. The lyre was also employed in contests, and boys are often pictured learning to play the lyre, face-to-face with their instructors. One of the most famous of these representations is the red-figure paining by Douris (vase painter) Douris on a kylix of ca. 470 B.C.E. ...The lyre serves an emblematic function in mythological scenes or scenes of death. In the mythological scenes, the lyre may stand as a symbol for Apollo, Hermes, the Muses, Castor and Pollux, Paris (mythology) Paris, Eros, or youths pursued by Eos; in scenes of death, the lyre perhaps symbolizes the tranquility of Elysium. Thomas J. Mathiesen, Apollo's Lyre: Greek Music and Music Theory in Antiquity and the Middle Ages Volume 2 of Publications of the Center for the History of Music Theory and Literature University of Nebraska Press 1999 0803230796 https://books.google.com/books?id=Td5odzctae8C&pg=PA248 248 Thus the blest List of Greek deities Gods the genial day prolong,In feasts ambrosial, and celestial song.Apollo tun'd the lyre, the Muses roundWith voice alternate aid the silver sound. Alexander Pope's translation of Homer's Iliad, as published in Book I, lines 772–775 The Iliad of Homer, Translated by Alexander Pope volume I Eugene, Oregon Wipf and Stock 2021 1666732354 https://books.google.com.bz/books?id=az5IEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA45 45 (Pope's translation was originally published in 6 volumes from 1715 to 1720. The 2021 book published by Wipf & Stock was edited by Steven Shankman.) See also Orpheus External links Lyres lyre "Lyre" . Encyclopædia Britannica. 17 (11th ed.). 1911. Category:Musical instruments