How Has Roman Culture Adapted From Greek Music

Question

Was Roman music and dance adapted from Greek music and dance?

Thesis

Roman music and dance was adapted from Greek music and dance.

Roman Music

The early Romans enjoyed music and had music at a lot of events such as entertainment events, military events, and religious events. However, not much is known about Roman music because the early Christians in Rome thought much of traditional Roman music was inappropriate and suppressed it. Roman music was single melodies, they did not have harmonies like we do today. The Romans recorded or wrote their music using enchiriadic notation, which consisted of four letters for notes and symbols for rhythm.

Roman Instruments

The Romans had three main types of instruments,

Roman dances had a tempo of quick-quick-slow, had four beat time signature, and were also performed in lines. Each dance had its own purpose, many times it was to please the gods. The Romans danced to music and usually wore everyday clothing. People who performed Roman dance included the sons of senators and noble matrons.

Comparison

Greek music and dance greatly influenced Roman music and dance.

Roman music and dance are very similar to Greek music and dance. In music, many of the Roman instruments came from Greece. One example is the lyra. Another is the tibia, which was influenced by the Greek alous. The Romans also used the enchiriadic notation, used by the Greeks, to write music. Roman music was so similar to Greek music that historians used what they know about Greek music to help them understand Roman music.

Greek dance and Roman dance are also a lot alike. This is because Roman dance is an adaptation of dances they learned from the Greeks. When some of the Greeks moved onto Roman land in the 3rd century, the Romans started doing Greek dances. Over time, the Romans changed the dances just a little. The tempo of quick-quick-slow, the four beat time signature, adapted from the Greeks.