Chapter 1: Music in Ancient Greece and Early Christian Rome

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. Why, throughout history, do scholars know more about the music-making activities of elite members of any given society than of others in that society?a. The elite suppressed information about music-making in lower socioeconomic groups.b. Music-making activities of the elite are probably representative of the society as a whole.c. Music of the elite constitutes most of what survives in written form.d. People of lower social status did not make music.e. The music of lower socioeconomic groups is not interesting.

ANS: C DIF: Medium REF: 3TOP: The Ancient and Medieval Worlds MSC: Conceptual

2. Monastic communities followed rituals and practices known as the Rule ofa. Muhammad. d. Saint Benedict.b. Pope Gregory. e. Saint Thomas Aquinas.c. Saint Augustine.

ANS: D DIF: Medium REF: 6TOP: Overview of the Early Middle Ages MSC: Factual

3. The Byzantine Empire corresponds roughly to this modern region.a. Germany, France, Italy, and Englandb. Greece, Turkey, and Eastern Europec. Iran, Iraq, and Pakistand. Israel, Lebanon, Egypt, and North Africae. Spain and Portugal

ANS: B DIF: Easy REF: 8TOP: Overview of the Early Middle Ages MSC: Factual

4. Charlemagne was aa. Holy Roman emperor. d. pope.b. king of Spain. e. Roman emperor.c. monk.

ANS: A DIF: Easy REF: 8TOP: Overview of the Early Middle Ages MSC: Factual

5. From about 1050 to about 1300, Europe experienceda. aggregation of wealth among the nobility.b. economic, educational, and artistic growth.c. invasions by the Arabs.d. population decline due to disease and famine.e. territorial expansion.

ANS: B DIF: Medium REF: 10-11TOP: Learning and the Arts, 1050-1300 MSC: Conceptual

6. Broadly speaking, the fourteenth century is characterized by

a. economic prosperity.b. interest in the natural world and human nature.c. political consolidation.d. religious reform.e. scholasticism as a form of critical thinking.

ANS: B DIF: Medium REF: 14TOP: Overview of the Fourteenth Century MSC: Conceptual

7. The history of Western music can be traced primarily toa. Africa. d. Greece.b. China. e. India.c. Egypt.

ANS: D DIF: Easy REF: 15 TOP: PreludeMSC: Factual

8. All of the following types of evidence about musical culture from ancient Greece and Rome survive today excepta. musical instruments. d. visual images of music-making.b. notated music. e. writings about music.c. recorded sound.

ANS: C DIF: Easy REF: 15 TOP: PreludeMSC: Factual

9. The Epitaph of Seikilos is a musical composition froma. ancient Babylon. d. ancient Rome.b. the Bronze Age. e. the Stone Age.c. ancient Greece.

ANS: C DIF: Medium REF: 16TOP: Music in Ancient Greek Life and Thought MSC: Factual

10. In ancient Greek mythology, the lyre was associated witha. Apollo. d. Homer.b. Aristotle. e. Plato.c. Dionysus.

ANS: A DIF: Medium REF: 17TOP: A Closer Look: Ancient Greek Music: Kithara and AulosMSC: Factual

11. In this image a woman is playing the

a. aulos. d. lyre.b. bone flute. e. panpipes.c. kithara.

ANS: A DIF: Medium REF: 17TOP: A Closer Look: Ancient Greek Music: Kithara and AulosMSC: Applied

12. All of the following wrote about Greek music excepta. Aristides Quintilianus. d. Plato.b. Aristotle. e. Pythagoras.c. Orpheus.

ANS: C DIF: Medium REF: 18TOP: Music in Ancient Greek Life and Thought MSC: Factual

13. Plato asserted that music was an essential component of education becausea. music and poetry are inseparable.b. music is enjoyable to listen to.c. musicians were valued in society.d. studying music helps to balance mental and physical activity.e. studying music helps to understand mathematics.

ANS: D DIF: Medium REF: 18TOP: Music in Ancient Greek Life and Thought MSC: Conceptual

14. According to Aristotle, different kinds of melodies could cause the listener to experiencea. emotions. d. physical health.b. hallucinations. e. religious epiphanies.c. philosophical thoughts.

ANS: A DIF: Medium REF: 18TOP: Music in Ancient Greek Life and Thought MSC: Conceptual

15. ________ discovered the relationship between consonant intervals and mathematical ratios.a. Aristotle d. Ptolemy

b. Aristoxenus e. Pythagorasc. Plato

ANS: E DIF: Medium REF: 19TOP: Music in Ancient Greek Life and Thought MSC: Factual

16. Diatonic, chromatic, and enharmonic are three types ofa. dialects of chant. d. modes.b. harmonia. e. tetrachords.c. melos.

ANS: E DIF: Medium REF: 19TOP: Music in Ancient Greek Life and Thought MSC: Factual

17. Who is likely to have written this: “It is . . . plain that music has the power of producing certain effects on the ethos of the soul, and if it has the power to do this, it is clear that the young must be directed to music and must be educated in it”?a. Aristides Quintilianus d. Homerb. Aristotle e. Pythagorasc. Aristoxenus

ANS: B DIF: Medium REF: 19TOP: Vignette: Aristotle on the Doctrine of Imitation, Ethos, and Music in EducationMSC: Applied

18. The group of influential Christian writers known as the Church Fathers includes all of the following excepta. Saint Augustine. d. Saint John Chrysostom.b. Saint Basil. e. Saint Paul.c. Saint Jerome.

ANS: E DIF: Medium REF: 20TOP: The Early Christian Church: Musical Thought MSC: Factual

19. The Church Fathers advocated the singing of psalms because ita. distanced Christian worship from pagan rituals.b. made it easier to remember the words.c. provoked devout thoughts and ideas of divine beauty.d. reminded worshippers of Jesus of Nazareth’s Jewish heritage.e. was enjoyable and gave pleasure.

ANS: C DIF: Hard REF: 21 | 23TOP: The Early Christian Church: Musical Thought| The Early Christian Church: Musical PracticeMSC: Applied

20. The main practice shared by early Judaism and early Christianity wasa. the chanting of psalms. d. sacrificing a lamb.b. dancing. e. the singing of hymns.c. living in monasteries.

ANS: A DIF: Easy REF: 23

TOP: The Early Christian Church: Musical Practice MSC: Applied

21. The focal point of the Christian Mass is a symbolic reenactment ofa. the birth of Christ. d. the last supper.b. the choir of Levites singing psalms. e. the ritual sacrifice of a lamb.c. the crucifixion of Christ.

ANS: D DIF: Medium REF: 23TOP: The Early Christian Church: Musical Practice MSC: Factual

22. When did the Roman Empire split into the Eastern (Byzantine) Empire, centered in Constantinople, and the Western Empire, centered in Rome and Milan?a. 70 C.E. d. 395 C.E.b. 313 C.E. e. 476 C.E.c. 392 C.E.

ANS: D DIF: Hard REF: 23TOP: The Early Christian Church: Musical Practice MSC: Factual

23. Beginning in the ninth century, monks and nuns from this region played an essential role in copying the chant melodies associated with Christian worship.a. Egypt and Turkey d. North Africab. France and Germany e. Spain and Portugalc. Italy and Greece

ANS: B DIF: Medium REF: 25TOP: The Early Christian Church: Musical Practice MSC: Factual

24. The idea that the harmonious relationship of the planets as they revolved around the earth created unheard music is calleda. harmonic proportions. d. perfect melos.b. music of the spheres. e. the quadrivium.c. musica mundana.

ANS: B DIF: Medium REF: 24TOP: In Context: Sounding and Silent Harmony: Music and AstronomyMSC: Factual

25. The regional styles of chant used in Christian worship were absorbed into a uniform practice known asa. Beneventan chant. d. Gregorian chant.b. Byzantine chant. e. Old Roman chant.c. Frankish chant.

ANS: D DIF: Medium REF: 24 | 26TOP: The Early Christian Church: Musical Practice| Postlude MSC: Factual

TRUE/FALSE

1. Scholars have been able to reconstruct a well-rounded view of musical culture from the ancient Near East (Babylonia, Mesopotamia, etc.).

ANS: F DIF: Medium REF: 4TOP: The Ancient and Medieval Worlds MSC: Conceptual

2. From around 800 to around 1300, the Holy Roman Empire included most of modern-day France and Germany.

ANS: T DIF: Medium REF: 8TOP: Overview of the Early Middle Ages: Political Change and Economic DevelopmentMSC: Factual

3. Ancient Greek musical notation indicates pitches and durations.

ANS: T DIF: Medium REF: 16TOP: Music in Ancient Greek Life and Thought MSC: Factual

4. Surviving examples of Greek music show a close correlation between theory and practice.

ANS: T DIF: Medium REF: 16TOP: Music in Ancient Greek Life and Thought MSC: Conceptual

5. The musical repertory of the early Christian world can be directly traced to that of ancient Greece.

ANS: F DIF: Medium REF: 16TOP: Music in Ancient Greek Life and Thought MSC: Conceptual

6. Music was used in ancient Roman religious, state, and military ceremonies.

ANS: T DIF: Easy REF: 20TOP: Roman Music, 200 B.C.E.-500 C.E. MSC: Factual

7. There is much evidence that ancient Roman musical culture influenced western European musical culture.

ANS: F DIF: Medium REF: 20TOP: Roman Music, 200 B.C.E.-500 C.E. MSC: Applied

8. Early Christians had a thorough and accurate understanding of ancient Greek music theory.

ANS: F DIF: Hard REF: 21 | 26TOP: The Early Church: Musical Thought| Postlude MSC: Conceptual

9. The early church leaders discouraged the use of music for pleasure.

ANS: T DIF: Medium REF: 22-23TOP: The Early Christian Church: Musical Practice MSC: Applied

10. The music of ancient civilizations was largely improvised.

ANS: T DIF: Medium REF: 26 TOP: PostludeMSC: Conceptual

SHORT ANSWER

1. What were the three social classes into which society was organized in the Middle Ages?

ANS:Nobility (nobility and knights); clergy (priests, monks, and nuns); and peasants.

DIF: Medium REF: 9 | 10, Figure 1.5TOP: Political Change and Economic Development MSC: Conceptual

2. What is the word used to describe the architectural style of churches built in the Middle Ages, such as the one pictured?

ANS:Gothic

DIF: Medium REF: 10 | 11, Figure 1.7TOP: Learning and the Arts, 1050-1300 MSC: Conceptual

3. Describe medieval courtly love literature.

ANS:This is literature in the vernacular that presents a highly idealized image of love featuring knighthood and chivalry. The lover (knight) assumed a subordinate role to his lady as her loyal vassal.

DIF: Medium REF: 11 TOP: Learning and the Arts, 1050-1300MSC: Conceptual

4. What is a kithara?

ANS:A kithara is a large lyre that was used in ancient Greek processions and sacred ceremonies.

DIF: Medium REF: 17TOP: A Closer Look: Ancient Greek Music: Kithara and AulosMSC: Applied

5. The concept in Greek philosophy that the universe is an orderly, unified system integrating everything from mathematical proportions, astronomy, philosophy, and social structures to a person’s soul is called

ANS:harmonia.

DIF: Medium REF: 18 TOP: Music in Ancient Greek Life and ThoughtMSC: Conceptual

6. In 1969 the British band The Who created a rock opera called Tommy, an album of rock and roll songs produced in a recording studio that tells a story about a visually, hearing-, and speech-impaired youth who excels at pinball despite his disabilities. The songs on the album are sung by the different vocalists, each representing a character in the story. Eventually the album was turned into a film, a live theater work, and a ballet. Would Plato have approved of this fusion of classical and popular idioms and adaptations to different mediums? Why or why not?

ANS:No. Plato did not approve of the mixing of genres and instruments and thought that musical conventions should not be changed. This reflected a well-ordered society. Opera is a classical genre and rock is a popular genre, so Plato would not have approved of a “rock opera.” Breaking conventions, such as turning a film into a live theater work, could lead to anarchy.orYes. “Perfect melos” is when melody, text, and stylized dance are conceived as a whole. Any opera, whether “classical” or “rock,” is conceived as whole (music, text, dance, staging, costumes, etc.). One can argue that opera is an extension of perfect melos.

DIF: Hard REF: 16-18 TOP: Music in Ancient Greek Life and ThoughtMSC: Applied

7. Why did early Christians regard music as a mathematical discipline, along with geometry, astronomy, and arithmetic?

ANS:Precise numerical relationships were a key to explaining the universe, including music. In music, numerical relationships and proportions determine intervals, consonances, scales, and tuning.

DIF: Medium REF: 21 | 24TOP: The Early Christian Church: Musical Thought| In Context: Sounding and Silent Harmony: Music and Astronomy MSC: Conceptual

8. This music theorist divided music into three categories: musica mundana (music of the universe), musica humana (human music), and musica instrumentalis (instrumental music).

ANS:Boethius

DIF: Easy REF: 22 TOP: A Closer Look: Boethius’s FundamentalsMSC: Factual

9. Why did the Church Fathers disapprove of using musical instruments in church?

ANS:They believed that only music that delivered Christian teaching and holy thoughts was worthy of hearing in church and that music without words could not do this. The ban on musical instruments also distanced them from pagan spectacles involving large choruses, instruments, and dancing.

DIF: Hard REF: 23 TOP: The Early Christian Church: Musical ThoughtMSC: Conceptual

10. Why did different dialects of chant develop in various regions of western Europe in the fifth through the ninth centuries?

ANS:After the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe was controlled by different groups of people in different regions, such as the Franks in Gaul (approximate modern-day France). They all had different local and regional rites with their own bodies of chant, or dialects.

DIF: Hard REF: 23 | 25 TOP: The Early Christian Church: Musical PracticeMSC: Conceptual

MATCHING

Match each event to the correct date.

a. era of Charlemagne d. Papal Schismb. Crusades to retake Jerusalem e. writings of Boethiusc. Hundred Years’ War

1. ca. 480–5242. 742–8143. 1095–12704. 1337–14535. 1378–1417

1. ANS: E2. ANS: A3. ANS: B4. ANS: C5. ANS: D

Match each author to the correct title.

a. Aristotle d. Platob. Boethius e. Saint Augustinec. Martianus Capella

6. Confessions7. De institutione musica (The Fundamentals of Music)8. The Marriage of Mercury and Philology9. Poetics and Politics

10. Republic and Timaeus

6. ANS: E7. ANS: B8. ANS: C9. ANS: A

10. ANS: D

ESSAY

1. Discuss how theories and practices of music-making in ancient Greece are similar to those still in use today.

ANS:Answers will vary.

2. In what ways is the history of Western music indebted to and intertwined with Christianity?

ANS:Answers will vary.