History of Music Education: Greek, Roman and Egyptian
Make Music; Make History
Think of a flute. By contrast to today’s auditory technology, it seems like such a simple instrument; a long rod with holes in it to pass air through creating sound. So simple in fact, a flute may have been the first musical instrument I history. A in Southern Germany, a flute similar to the one you’re thinking of was found, only this flute is thought to be 35,000 years old.1 This flute’s story, unlike its build, is anything but simple. This flute is thought to be the mark of civilization of the Paleolithic era. It, and the music it creates is an example of a human civilization going from merely surviving, to thriving, a pattern that would live on throughout human history. Seen through comparative analysis of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian timelines; societies focus on music as well as music education marks the height of that civilizations academic, economic and spiritual existence.
We can begin where many ideas in history have begun, in Ancient Greece. Eternally a stronghold of western civilization and topic of many a history lecture, Ancient Greece is a prime example of music marking the height of a nation’s society. In the precious time after the Persian Wars, but before the onset of the Peloponnesian Wars, Greece experienced what is known as the Golden Age or Classical Age of Greece.2 While the Golden Age was literally named after the detailed statues and intricate pottery work found from that time in Greek history, the name also serves as a strong and accurate connotative meaning. It was during this age Greece, as well as Greek music, was at its peak.3
Just as Greek government was pioneering the new use of democracy, Greek society was experimenting with a whole new perspective on music. What had previously mostly been use for official military matters and exclusive celebrations was now being seen as an art; music became mainstream. Most music of the time was monophonic, it wasn’t usually written out but learned by ear or taught by
Think of a flute. By contrast to today’s auditory technology, it seems like such a simple instrument; a long rod with holes in it to pass air through creating sound. So simple in fact, a flute may have been the first musical instrument I history. A in Southern Germany, a flute similar to the one you’re thinking of was found, only this flute is thought to be 35,000 years old.1 This flute’s story, unlike its build, is anything but simple. This flute is thought to be the mark of civilization of the Paleolithic era. It, and the music it creates is an example of a human civilization going from merely surviving, to thriving, a pattern that would live on throughout human history. Seen through comparative analysis of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian timelines; societies focus on music as well as music education marks the height of that civilizations academic, economic and spiritual existence.
We can begin where many ideas in history have begun, in Ancient Greece. Eternally a stronghold of western civilization and topic of many a history lecture, Ancient Greece is a prime example of music marking the height of a nation’s society. In the precious time after the Persian Wars, but before the onset of the Peloponnesian Wars, Greece experienced what is known as the Golden Age or Classical Age of Greece.2 While the Golden Age was literally named after the detailed statues and intricate pottery work found from that time in Greek history, the name also serves as a strong and accurate connotative meaning. It was during this age Greece, as well as Greek music, was at its peak.3
Just as Greek government was pioneering the new use of democracy, Greek society was experimenting with a whole new perspective on music. What had previously mostly been use for official military matters and exclusive celebrations was now being seen as an art; music became mainstream. Most music of the time was monophonic, it wasn’t usually written out but learned by ear or taught by
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