Bārbad

Persian musician

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June 18, 2026

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Bārbad was a renowned Persian musician and composer who lived during the Sasanian Empire. He is credited with inventing a complex system of musical modes and is considered a model of artistic achievement in Arabic literature. Bārbad's compositions were influential and survived for centuries, impacting the development of music in the region. His work highlights the sophisticated musical traditions present in pre-Islamic Persia, where musicians held esteemed positions.1

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Islamic arts
The pre-Islamic period
Some became famous, such as Bārbad, to whom is attributed the invention of the complicated pre-Islamic system of modes. The compositions of Bārbad, who became a model of artistic achievement in Arabic literature, survived at least until the 10th century.
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Some became famous, such as Bārbad, to whom is attributed the invention of the complicated pre-Islamic system of modes. The compositions of Bārbad, who became a model of artistic achievement in Arabic literature, survived at least until the 10th century.
Read More