Ancient Sources of Western Music

Fill-in-the-blank practice flashcards covering ancient Greek musical traditions, theater, sacred games, and early musical theory from lecture notes.

Western music started in Ancient Greece, where music was used to __________ emotions.

express

In contrast to Ancient Greece, Africans were more focused on __________.

Polyrhythms

Musical theaters started around __________ BCE.

530

Around 14k people could fit in Endaurus, and the seats in Epidaurus were made of __________.

limestone

Members of the Ancient Greek Chorus wore long __________ and masks.

robes

The Dionysus festival was held in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine, theatre, and __________.

fertility

Although there was no specific song for the Dionysus festival, the preferred song was __________ to Dionysus.

Hymn

The 4 ancient Greek games were the Olympics, Nemean, Pythian, and __________.

Isthmian

The Olympics were held first in __________ BCE.

776

In rituals surrounding the games, a boy with 2 living parents cut down __________ trees.

olive

The Nemean games started in 573 BCE, were held every 2 years in July, and were original funeral games in honor of __________.

Opheltes

The reward for winning at the Nemean games was a wreath of __________.

wild celery

Around the Hellenistic period (300 BCE), the unofficial music for the Nemean games was likely the Hymn to __________.

Zeus

The Pythian games started in __________ BCE and were held every 8 years.

532

Winners of the Pythian games received a __________ wreath.

laurel

The Hymn to Apollo associated with the Pythian games dates to around __________ BCE.

128

The Isthmian games started around 582 BCE, were held every 2 years in the Spring, and rewarded winners with a __________ wreath.

wild celery

All Greek games were disbanded when the Christian emperor __________ abolished pagan festivals.

Theodosius

Pythagoras created the Pythagorean theorem and developed lots of math for musical __________.

intervals

The real name of Plato was __________.

Aristocles

In musical improv, the top three elements in order of importance are I. Melody, II. Rhythm, and III. __________.

Harmony