Aulos

Definition

Mark Cartwright
by
published on 12 June 2012
X
translations icon
Available in other languages: French, Persian, Spanish, Turkish
Greek Double Aulos (by Mark Cartwright, CC BY-NC-SA)
Greek Double Aulos
Mark Cartwright (CC BY-NC-SA)

The Aulos was a musical wind instrument played by the ancient Greeks. It was also known as the kalamos or libykos lotos, which referred to the material from which part of the instrument was made: respectively, the reed and the Libyan lotus plant. Perhaps the most commonly played instrument in Greek music, the aulos was played in festivals, processions of births and deaths, athletic games - for the athletes to keep their exercises in rhythm, social occasions, and performances of tragedy in the Greek theatre. It was associated with the god Dionysos and often played at private drinking parties.

Features

The sound produced by an aulete (player) was rhythmical & penetrating & he often accompanied a male chorus.

Made from cane, boxwood, bone, ivory, or occasionally metals such as bronze and copper, the circular pipe (bombyke) was fitted with one, two or three bulbous mouthpieces which gave the instrument a different pitch. The pipe itself could be composed of up to five closely interlocking sections. Sound was produced by blowing and vibrating the single or double reed (glottides) within the mouthpiece. Seven holes (tremata) were cut down the length of the pipe with sometimes an additional hole to produce another octave of notes. Tonality could be adjusted through the turning of bronze rings between the mouthpiece and the pipe. Frequently, two auloi were fitted together (diaulos) at the mouthpiece to produce a richer sound or double melody. The sound produced by an aulete (player) was rhythmical and penetrating, and he often accompanied a male chorus.

Remove Ads
Advertisement

Aulos players from Thebes (c. 400 BCE) are credited with inventing rings and keys (pronomos) made from silver and bronze which could open or close various holes on the instrument, functioning much like keys on modern wind instruments such as the clarinet.

Aulos Player
Aulos Player
James Lloyd (Copyright, fair use)

Surviving Examples

The earliest surviving examples of auloi have been found at Koilada, Thessaly and date from the Neolithic period (c. 5000 BCE). These instruments are carved from bone and have five holes, irregularly placed down their length. A complete double aulos in bone with tonal bronze rings survives from 4th century BCE Thessaloniki and many fragmentary pieces have been excavated on Delos where there is also evidence of a workshop. The earliest representations in art come from small marble statues from Keros in the Cycladic islands (2700-2300 BCE). Aulos players, both male and female, are commonly depicted on Attic red- and black-figure vases from the 7th century BCE and include depictions of Hercules and Satyrs playing the instrument. Decorated pottery also, on occasion, depicts the leather strap (phorbeia) which held the instrument in position over the mouth and even the instrument case (sybene) over the shoulder of the player.

Remove Ads
Advertisement

Did you like this definition?
Editorial Review This article has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our editorial policy.
Remove Ads
Advertisement

Bibliography

World History Encyclopedia is an Amazon Associate and earns a commission on qualifying book purchases.

About the Author

Mark Cartwright
Mark is a full-time author, researcher, historian, and editor. Special interests include art, architecture, and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share. He holds an MA in Political Philosophy and is the WHE Publishing Director.

Translations

French Persian Spanish Turkish

We want people all over the world to learn about history. Help us and translate this definition into another language!

Free for the World, Supported by You

World History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization. For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide.

Become a Member  

Recommended Books

 
World History Encyclopedia is an Amazon Associate and earns a commission on qualifying book purchases.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Cartwright, M. (2012, June 12). Aulos. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/Aulos/

Chicago Style

Cartwright, Mark. "Aulos." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified June 12, 2012. https://www.worldhistory.org/Aulos/.

MLA Style

Cartwright, Mark. "Aulos." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 12 Jun 2012. Web. 12 Dec 2023.

Membership