Lamprus of Erythrae
Encyclopedia
Lamprus of Erythrae was an ancient Grecian
musician excellent of the lyre
, he was born in Athens
and lived in the early part of the fifth century B.C.E. A musical teacher of Sophocles
in lyre playing and dance, and whilst in Mantineia
, teacher of Aristoxenos (sometime before 343 B.C.E). He belonged to the school known currently as the Peripatetic philosophers. He is noted for his sober lifestyle, choosing to drink water instead of wine, confirmed by Phrynichus who said of him
The music of Lamprus is considered restrained, indicating a sober temperament, rather than wild and realistic.
Plato called him a musician deserving of some recognition, being "second only to Connus". Also Cornelius Nepos
, and Plutarchus within his text of music(de Musicâ), did pass praise on the subject of the musician Lamprus.
Lamprus, the most distinguished musician, was famous within Athens, for his musical abilities and skills (techne
) within his own lifetime. Perhaps considered the greatest musician of the time.
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
musician excellent of the lyre
Lyre
The lyre is a stringed musical instrument known for its use in Greek classical antiquity and later. The word comes from the Greek "λύρα" and the earliest reference to the word is the Mycenaean Greek ru-ra-ta-e, meaning "lyrists", written in Linear B syllabic script...
, he was born in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
and lived in the early part of the fifth century B.C.E. A musical teacher of Sophocles
Sophocles
Sophocles is one of three ancient Greek tragedians whose plays have survived. His first plays were written later than those of Aeschylus, and earlier than or contemporary with those of Euripides...
in lyre playing and dance, and whilst in Mantineia
Mantineia
Mantineia was a city in ancient Greece that was the site of two significant battles in Classical Greek history. It is also a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Tripoli, of which it is a municipal unit. Its seat...
, teacher of Aristoxenos (sometime before 343 B.C.E). He belonged to the school known currently as the Peripatetic philosophers. He is noted for his sober lifestyle, choosing to drink water instead of wine, confirmed by Phrynichus who said of him
"that the gulls lamented, when Lamprus died among them, being a man who was a water-drinker, a subtle hypersophist, a dry skeleton of the Muses, a nightmare to nightingales, a hymn to hell."
The music of Lamprus is considered restrained, indicating a sober temperament, rather than wild and realistic.
Plato called him a musician deserving of some recognition, being "second only to Connus". Also Cornelius Nepos
Cornelius Nepos
Cornelius Nepos was a Roman biographer. He was born at Hostilia, a village in Cisalpine Gaul not far from Verona. His Gallic origin is attested by Ausonius, and Pliny the Elder calls him Padi accola...
, and Plutarchus within his text of music(de Musicâ), did pass praise on the subject of the musician Lamprus.
Lamprus, the most distinguished musician, was famous within Athens, for his musical abilities and skills (techne
Techne
Techne, or techné, as distinguished from episteme, is etymologically derived from the Greek word τέχνη which is often translated as craftsmanship, craft, or art. It is the rational method involved in producing an object or accomplishing a goal or objective...
) within his own lifetime. Perhaps considered the greatest musician of the time.