The Modes of Ancient Greek Music

The Modes of Ancient Greek Music by D. B. Monro is a seminal scholarly treatise that explores the intricate theoretical foundations, structure, and ethos of ancient Greek music. Drawing upon classical texts and musical fragments, Monro presents a meticulous examination of the Greek modal system, its tonality, scales, and notation, and the cultural-philosophical implications of musical practice in the ancient world. The book begins by addressing the available sources—Plato, Aristotle, Aristoxenus, Plutarch, and others—then delves into technical analyses of harmoniai (modes), octachord and heptachord systems, and Greek musical ethos. Monro systematically explains the distinctions between species of scales, keys (tonoi), and genera, presenting an early but authoritative synthesis that bridges ancient philosophy and music theory. A vital resource for musicologists, classical philologists, and historians, this work captures the intellectual spirit of ancient Greece and its profound connection between music, morality, mathematics, and cosmology.