Cymbal Playing in Late Antiquity: Resonances between Romano-Byzantine and Late Sasanian Iconographies

Abstract In the Sasanian period of Persia, the fascination of the upper classes with Romano- Byzantine iconography led to the production of luxury silver vessels featuring a western-inspired Bacchic-style iconography. This study demonstrates that these objects constitute valuable sources for archaeomusicology. The case of cymbal playing techniques is examined through a comparative iconographic approach. Sasanian silverware depicts numerous cymbal playing techniques also visible in Romano-Byzantine art. Sasanian representations of hand cymbals and frontal cymbal tongs are consistent with the abundant western iconography and preserved ancient instrument specimens. This confirms the value of Sasanian silverware in the study of late antique cymbal playing techniques. Additionally, Sasanian silverware provides testimony regarding lateral cymbal tongs and ankle cymbals, which are poorly documented in Romano-Byzantine sources. An experimental reconstruction confirms that the postures of ankle cymbals players in Romano-Byzantine and Sasanian imageries are compatible with effective cymbal striking, thereby supporting the plausibility that this playing technique existed in Late Antiquity.