Britannica Sources used in this answer

How were the lyre and the aulos used in ancient Greek lyric poetry?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Map showing the chief cities of Ancient Greece and surrounding regions, including locations such as Athens, Sparta, Corinth, Delphi, Thebes, Troy, Olympia, Syracuse, and Ephesus, along with notable islands and mountain ranges in the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. — Greek literature A map shows the major regions and cities of ancient Greece.

In ancient Greek lyric poetry, the lyre and the aulos served as essential musical accompaniments, helping to define the performance and character of various poetic genres.1

The Lyre

The lyre was the primary instrument associated with lyric poetry, which was often defined as verse intended to be sung to its accompaniment. It symbolized wisdom and moderation and was used to support both solo performances and choral works. In practice, the lyre was typically plucked; a plectrum was held in the right hand to strike the strings, while the left-hand fingers damped unwanted notes or occasionally plucked strings to produce higher pitches.213

The Aulos

The aulos, a double-reed pipe often played in pairs, was the principal wind instrument in ancient Greece. It was frequently used to accompany choral lyrics, which were complex performances often connected to religious cults or the celebration of victors at major games. Additionally, the aulos was traditionally associated with elegiacs, a form of poetry often linked to lamentation, though these were also performed as personal poetry at social gatherings.451