Roman music and Musicians
We are putting together a display of ancient Roman music. So far we have a cornu, tuba, drums, flute, and lyre. We will be acquiring panpipes, sistrum rattle, and a double-flute.
The most important musical instrument in the Roman Military was the tuba (straight trumpet) made from copper or iron with a conical bore about 140 cm in length formed of three sections with a mouthpiece. It announced troop movements during battle, so was played a loudly as possible. The tuba was also used at sacrifices, processions, and funerals.
The second most important Roman military musical instrument was the cornu (horn) shaped like a large letter G with a crossbar for support. It was used primarily to direct the movements of soldiers under a certain sign. An original instrument unearthed in Pompeii was 320cm long, 140cm in diameter and had a detachable mouthpiece approximately 15cm long. In civilian life, the cornu was used to call the Roman people to assemble at important meetings, and later became associated with announcing the presence of the emperor. It was also played at the theater and gladiator fights.
The buccina (bugle) was similar to the cornu, except that it had a slightly smaller bore and a more flared bell opening at the end. It was used to signal changes of watch during the night, wake up calls and for announcing mealtimes. Buccina players were not as high ranking as the soldiers who played tuba or cornu, so in addition to their musical responsibilities they also had to dig graves and cut wood.
The Roman historian Vegetius, in his work De Re Militari, wrote:
"The music of the legion consists of trumpets, cornets and buccinae. The trumpet sounds the charge and the retreat. The cornets are used only to regulate the motions of the colors; the trumpets serve when the soldiers are ordered out to any work without the colors; but in time of action, the trumpets and cornets sound together. The classicum, which is a particular sound of the buccina or horn, is appropriated to the commander-in-chief and is used in the presence of the general, or at the execution of a soldier, as a mark of its being done by his authority. The ordinary guards and outposts are always mounted and relieved by the sound of trumpet, which also directs the motions of the soldiers on working parties and on field days. The cornets sound whenever the colors are to be struck or planted. These rules must be punctually observed in all exercises and reviews so that the soldiers may be ready to obey them in action without hesitation according to the general's orders either to charge or halt, to pursue the enemy or to retire. For reason will convince us that what is necessary to be performed in the heat of action should constantly be practiced in the leisure of peace."
The Romans played double-flutes, hand-drums and tambourines during stage-plays and festivals, and at the gladiator games, besides the regular musicians, they played a large water-powered pipe-organ, as shown in the pics below.
The second most important Roman military musical instrument was the cornu (horn) shaped like a large letter G with a crossbar for support. It was used primarily to direct the movements of soldiers under a certain sign. An original instrument unearthed in Pompeii was 320cm long, 140cm in diameter and had a detachable mouthpiece approximately 15cm long. In civilian life, the cornu was used to call the Roman people to assemble at important meetings, and later became associated with announcing the presence of the emperor. It was also played at the theater and gladiator fights.
The buccina (bugle) was similar to the cornu, except that it had a slightly smaller bore and a more flared bell opening at the end. It was used to signal changes of watch during the night, wake up calls and for announcing mealtimes. Buccina players were not as high ranking as the soldiers who played tuba or cornu, so in addition to their musical responsibilities they also had to dig graves and cut wood.
The Roman historian Vegetius, in his work De Re Militari, wrote:
"The music of the legion consists of trumpets, cornets and buccinae. The trumpet sounds the charge and the retreat. The cornets are used only to regulate the motions of the colors; the trumpets serve when the soldiers are ordered out to any work without the colors; but in time of action, the trumpets and cornets sound together. The classicum, which is a particular sound of the buccina or horn, is appropriated to the commander-in-chief and is used in the presence of the general, or at the execution of a soldier, as a mark of its being done by his authority. The ordinary guards and outposts are always mounted and relieved by the sound of trumpet, which also directs the motions of the soldiers on working parties and on field days. The cornets sound whenever the colors are to be struck or planted. These rules must be punctually observed in all exercises and reviews so that the soldiers may be ready to obey them in action without hesitation according to the general's orders either to charge or halt, to pursue the enemy or to retire. For reason will convince us that what is necessary to be performed in the heat of action should constantly be practiced in the leisure of peace."
The Romans played double-flutes, hand-drums and tambourines during stage-plays and festivals, and at the gladiator games, besides the regular musicians, they played a large water-powered pipe-organ, as shown in the pics below.
Video of the Roman musical instruments, including the cornu, tuba, buccina, double-flute, stringed-lyre, and a bellows-powered pipe-organ.
Musica Romana - German group musical archaeology.
The Greek aulos or Roman tibia flute, commonly joined into a double-flute in most artworks, was made of carved bone, ivory or wood. The example below from the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford, of six segments is 250 mm long x 40 mm diameter. The top section has a hole right through, while each other section has a hole at the narrowest point, and a flared end.
