[ancients] Rock & Roll and the Decline of the Roman Republic

Yes, what is that?? Very nice looking instrument.

 

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It's a Pontian lyra from Pontos, Asia Minor.

 

How long has this type of instrument been around?

 

Quite rare. The Septimius type is much more common with thunderbolt.

 

Since the Pontians.

 

Roughly 1,000 years.

 

Nope, Pontians are older than their folk lyra instrument.

 

Thanks for the information. I would like to hear the sound it generates. I will try to find something on the net.

 

Really nice example!

I remember reading a thread on Forvm where Curtis Clay suggested that the reverse with the drum may have been a mistake that was later corrected with the thunderbolt since the drum is usually associated with another goddess, Cybele (who is also identified on coins either accompanied with a lion or riding a lion).

If that's indeed the case, it'd be quite ironic considering the cult of Cybele was apparently first adopted by the Romans from its native Phrygia during the Second Punic War between Rome and Carthage in an attempt to have the favor of that goddess turn the tide of the war against the Carthaginians and their patron goddess Tanit (Dea Caelestis).

 

Look up the pieces "Trigona" and "Serra". I'm sure you'll be mesmerized and wondering why this tradition isn't more popular throughout the world.

 

I watched some YouTube videos, including this one (Serra) for which the write-up mentions some interesting history.



Intriguing, but uncomfortably foreign to my North American ears... especially the vocal ululation accompanying the music. The instrument does look like fun though.

The strings are tuned to 4ths. A video about how to tune a Pontian lyra held a surprise...

"The first thing to do is to tune the middle string. There is no general rule here. Tune it to a pitch that you prefer."

Are the strings all of the same gauge or are they different, like strings for Western instruments?

 

The Pontian lyra, eh? (40_mila_kokkina => it's got a very cool sound)

Uh-oh, but be very careful ... for when you're kicking-back, dancing and havin' a few pints in Pontos, it's pretty easy to lose your head!!

 

I've really got to get one of these someday.

 

Winged caduceus and note the lyre at right, a good image of a "guitar."

Awarded to tax and tariff commissioners of France to buy them off before the 18th Brumaire Coup:

 

Yeah, it was a joke that fell flat. I was remembering an old episode of Johnny Carson. Zamfir was the guest musician. Johnny asked Doc Severenson how far back the Pan Flute went. Doc's answer was, "Clear back to Pan!"

 

That's an impressive medal Michael! I don't have a winged caduceus, but here's Apollo with a lyre on an ant of Gordian III. Old coin, new pic.

 

The vocals you can say are your Near Eastern equivalent of Swiss Yodeling. It's a fun instrument if you can figure out playing it (not easy). Actually I usually tune the first string to the left (as a player), never the center string first. I usually tune it in G,D,A or A,E,B. Strings are 2 violin and 1 guitar. pontosworld.com/index.php/music/instruments/924-the-pontic-lyra

 

"Amisos" (on the coin) is one of the earliest settlements in Pontos and still exists today.

 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CouCBhO7qCI
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Evb286wepuM

Better than Riverdance!
Second clip is the other variety of Serra. Am learning to perfect this one.

 

My only coin from Pontos:

Amisos Pontos