The Delicate Lyre: An Instrument That Has Echoed Across Millennia

While the lyre is rarely seen in contemporary music performances, it held significant importance in ancient Greek culture. Even before it became a staple at private gatherings and religious events, an earlier iteration of this stringed instrument likely emerged in the ancient Middle East.

Richard P. Martin, the Antony and Isabelle Raubitschek professor in classics at Stanford University, notes that the lyres found in Mesopotamia and the Near East around 2000 B.C.E. included larger "box" lyres. These were often so sizable that they had to be placed on the ground, similar to a modern harp. "A figurine from the Aegean islands (later Greece) dating back to around 2500 B.C.E. depicts a seated man playing one of these larger harp-like instruments, resting it on his knees," Martin explains in an email interview.

The Traditional Structure of the Lyre

Classically, the lyre featured two stationary upright arms (pecheis) or horns (kerata), along with a crossbar (zygos). Its tuning pegs (kollopes) were crafted from materials like bronze, bone, ivory, or wood. The seven strings (neurai or chordai), though equal in length, differed in thickness and were strung between the crossbar and a fixed tailpiece (chordotonon).

"The lyre, dating back thousands of years before the Common Era, is frequently mentioned in hymns from the Hebrew Bible and Homer's Iliad and Odyssey," explains professional musician Dave Mostert via email. "Due to its biblical references, the lyre often symbolizes tradition and establishment in Western culture."

The lyre most commonly recognized today is the "bowl" lyre, closely tied to Greek culture. According to Martin, this version emerged after 1000 B.C.E. "It was compact, lightweight, and featured between three to 11 strings that were played by plucking," he notes. "The bowl lyre was popular in private settings, such as drinking parties (symposia), as its soft sound was better suited for intimate gatherings."

Martin explains that the lyre's true origin varies depending on the specific version of the instrument. "Depending on how you define it, the lyre, or similar handheld stringed instruments, appear to have been widespread from the Mediterranean to India and across many parts of Africa," he states. "Musicologists argue whether a single ancient prototype spread, with cultures adapting it, or if these instruments were independently invented."

While the lyre was gaining popularity among Greek revelers, another instrument was also rising in prominence. "The ancient Greeks also used the kithara, a larger, box-shaped lyre played with a pick (plectrum), featuring a resonating sound-box," Martin notes. "This instrument was used in musical contests, either for solo performances or to accompany vocalists. It was also integral to rituals, where it accompanied formal, public songs like the paean, a hymn celebrating victory and praise."

Mostert suggests that the earliest lyres were likely crafted from the forearm bones of sheep, goats, or donkeys, with depictions of the instrument appearing on Sumerian carvings around 2000 B.C.E. "Classical Greek vase paintings frequently feature lyres, and historical accounts indicate that the body shape of these instruments evolved significantly over time," he explains.

The Science of the Lyre's Sound

Jed Macosko, a physics professor at Wake Forest University and academic director of AcademicInfluence.com, explains that the lyre's distinctive sound is rooted in scientific principles.

"In ancient times, lyre players didn’t have access to electronic tuners or tuning forks," he mentions in an email interview. "So, how did they maintain their instruments' harmony? They relied on mathematics! Pythagoras — famous for his a² + b² = c² theorem — and his followers were pioneers in linking string lengths to musical tones. They discovered that the ratios of string lengths were crucial. Ultimately, Pythagoras explained why the four strings on lyres of his era harmonized well and provided methods to keep them in tune."

The lyre's delicate acoustics have been described in various ways. "They resemble Hawaiian slack-key guitars, but with a more metallic tone," Martin observes. "Of course, I’ve only heard reconstructed versions," he adds, referencing this video by composer Michael Levy:

Mostert emphasizes the lyre's subtle acoustic properties, attributing them to its unique construction. "The strings are typically tensioned across a frame due to the force they generate," he notes. "This creates a delicate, airy tone, which lacks the strength needed for orchestral performances."

The Lyre's Role in Mythology

Martin, a Greek mythology authority, explains the lyre's significance in a legendary divine story. "As a newborn, Hermes cleverly fashioned a lyre from a tortoise shell, using its skin and seven sheep-gut strings," he recounts. "After stealing Apollo's cattle, Hermes played the lyre, captivating Apollo, who then exchanged it for a golden wand and divination abilities."

The lyre also appears in the myth of Hercules, or Heracles. "In a moment of rage, young Heracles struck his music teacher, Linus, with his lyre, resulting in his death," Martin explains. "Orpheus, famed for his music that could charm nature, played the lyre. After his death, the gods honored him by placing his lyre in the sky as the constellation Lyra."

Martin also highlights the lyre's connection to another deity. "The term 'lyric' in poetry derives from this instrument, which accompanied ancient songs and recitations," he states. "Apollo, often depicted with a kithara, also played the lyre, as seen in ancient Greek art. Intriguingly, Apollo, the god of archery, shares a trait with cultures that repurpose hunting bows into musical instruments, showcasing their dual functionality."