AncientGreeks.co.ukAncient Greece: Song of Seikilos
This song is one of the earliest examples yet found of a complete musical composition from the ancient world. Although other songs have been found that pre-date 'The Song of Seikilos' by many centuries, they only survive in fragments.
Seikilos carved the song on a grave pillar in dedication to his wife.
The Grave was discovered in 1883, near Aydin in Turkey. Archaeologists believe it dates between 200 BC and AD 100.
Seikilos also inscribed a poem on the gravestone, it reads:
"Hoson zēs, phainou
Mēden holōs sy lypou;
Pros oligon esti to zēn
To telos ho chronos apaitei."
In English:
"As long as you live, shine,
Let nothing grieve you beyond measure.
For your life is short,
and time will claim its toll."
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