Revisiting the Thetic Approach to Ancient Greek Harmonics and Melody
Abstract
Abstract The music notation of Vienna Papyrus G 29825 a/b recto ( DAGM № 9) is used to recontextualize Claudius Ptolemy’s thetic (‘positional’) view of music as an integral component of a two-sided music system where octave species and instrument tunings are used in conjunction with notation keys and modulations as part of a consistent musical tradition that lasted at least six centuries. This thetic approach is applied to a comprehensive modal analysis of surviving ancient Greek melodies to demonstrate that mesē by position is the most commonly used note in a substantial proportion of ancient Greek music, resulting in more detailed practical definition of Greek ‘mode’ than has been previously understood.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Musicology and Musical Analysis
Classical Antiquity Studies
Classical Philosophy and Thought
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Greek and Roman Musical Studies
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 30–69
- Publication date
- 27 February 2026
- Language
- EN