Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 1 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"Plutarch
Philosophy
Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 1 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"
Plutarch
Classical literature; Essays; Ethics; Philosophy
25. But now as for the senses that are created within the body,
such as are of celestial and heavenly extraction, and which by
divine assistance affect the understanding of men by means of
harmony,—namely, sight and hearing,—do by the very light and voice
express harmony. And others which are their attendants, so far as they
are senses, likewise exist by harmony; for they perform none of their
effects without harmony; and although they are inferior to the other
two, they are not independent of them. Nay, those two also, since they
enter into human bodies at the very same time with God himself, claim
by reason a vigorous and incomparable nature.
26. Manifest from hence therefore it is, why the ancient Greeks, with
more reason than others, were so careful to teach their children music.
For they deemed it requisite by the assistance of music to form and
compose the minds of youth to what was decent, sober, and virtuous;
believing the use of music beneficially efficacious to incite to all
serious actions, especially to the adventuring upon warlike dangers.
To which purpose they made use of pipes or flutes when they advanced
in battle array against their enemies; like the Lacedaemonians, who
upon the same occasion caused the Castorean melody to be played before
their battalions. Others inflamed their courage with harps, playing the
same sort of harmony when they went to look danger in the face, as the
Cretans did for a long time. Others, even to our own times, continue
to use the trumpet. The Argives made use of flutes at their wrestling
matches called Stheneia; which sort of sport was first instituted in
honor of Danaus, but afterwards consecrated to Jupiter Sthenius, or
Jupiter the Mighty. And now at this day it is the custom to make use
of flutes at the games called Pentathla, although there is now nothing
exquisite or antique, nothing like what was customary among men of old
time, like the song composed by Hierax for this very game; still, even
though it is sorry stuff and nothing exquisite, it is accompanied by
flute-music.
27. But among the more ancient Greeks, music in theatres was never
known, for they employed their whole musical skill in the worship of
the Gods and the education of youth; at which time, there being no
theatres erected, music was yet confined within the walls of their
temples, as being that with which they worshipped the supreme Deity
and sang the praises of virtuous men. And it is probable that the word
θέατρον, at a later period, and θεωρεῖν (_to behold_) much earlier,
were derived from θεός (_God_). But in our age is such another face of
new inventions, that there is not the least remembrance or care of that
use of music which related to education; for all our musicians make
it their business to court the theatre Muses, and study nothing but
compositions for the stage.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account