Terpander

According to Strabo, Terpander, a native of Antissa in Lesbos, increased the number of strings on the lyre from four to seven. While there is evidence that such lyres existed before Terpander's time, there is a representation of such a lyre on a pot from Old Smyrna dated to the second half of the seventh century -- the time when Terpander won his reputation.

Terpander is said to have started the first music schools in Sparta. He is thought to have sung poems similar to the Homeric hymns. His name is associated with the form of a song sacred to Apollo known as the nome. He is also considered the founder of lyric poetry.

Terpander won various musical competitions, four times at the Pythian games, and at Carneia.

Source

Lesky, Albin: A History of Greek Literature

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This resource page is copyright © 2002 N.S. Gill.