Percussion



Percussion did not have much recognition in the Antiquity. They were downgraded to 'finery'. Still, we can divide percussion into two categories: the instruments to accompany/set the rhythm and the instruments to create excitement. The latter is associated with the Dionysion Cult.

The most famous are the rattles or krotala. They consist of two little boards with a length of approximately 10 centimeters. Until now, we did not found any of these little boards.

Foto: cf. 'links' Amerikaanse site
The tambourine is always played by women. Until now, we also don't have any those instruments, so we must look at pictures. When look at them, it looks like it has a diameter of about 45-50 cm. It is associated with the aulos, the cult of Dionysos and Kybele. Also, the ancient cymbals are associated with these cults. They are made out of bronze en have a diameter of about 15 cm.






Next we have the smaller rattlers. The oldest are made out of earth, mud and so on. So they aren't quite strong. One assumues they had only a symbolic meaning, a meaning that we do not know anymore.


Photo: Fries Museum Leeuwarden


The most known is the sistrum. The most simple version of this instrument consist of little metal bars. These bars are being tied up to two wooden arms. Originally, this instrument was used at the ceremony for the goddess Isis, but later on also in common music. A variation of it is the Apulian Sistrum. It looks like a xylophone, but the metal bars are equal to eachother !


Picture: Martin-von-Wagner-Museum der Universität Würzburg;



Picture left : Museum van het boek/Museum MeermannoWestreenianum
Picture right: Museum Burg Linn

Picture: Allard Pierson Museum Amsterdam

Picture: private collection





Picture: Museum Valkhof Nijmegen





Picture: private collection