Ancient Artefact of the Day: The Seikilos Column

An exciting piece today with this tomb monument from the Mid to Late 2nd Century AD - one of the major pieces of evidence for ancient musical notation. #AAOTD #Music

Image: Nationalmuseet, Copenhagen (14897)

Set up by Seikilos, perhaps for the & #39;Euterpe& #39; mentioned in the damaged final line, the inscription is intended as "an enduring symbol of eternal memory". The opening lines, rendered as an elegiac couplet, already betray that this inscription is something special.

This is revealed in the ensuing lines which are accompanied by musical notations above the inscribed text, indicating that these are to be performed as song with musical accompaniment.

Image: Figure from Solomon (1986: 459) - see end of thread for full citation

The lyrics give a pretty standard Epicurean idea, perhaps paraphrased as & #39;make hay while the sun shines& #39;: "Do not hide your light as long as you live... life only runs for a short time... time sets a limit...".