Ancient Roman Music - Synaulia I

[TheNobleGoon]

This sound tragic menacing and just... I don't know. Were the Romans happy people? From this song it sounds kind of miserable (no offense,I like it though). I guess this is how thier music was since they were a very warlike culture.

[runningwild1231]

all im saying is this music mind blowing if your tripping,,, rediculous

[coumarin]

SLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYEEEEEEEEEEER!­!!!!!!!!!!!!

[polo020290]

Mi manca la vecchia Urbe....

[george7red]

Just me, or does this totally sound like it would be somewhere in the background of a Zelda game

[lionlove1]

I really feel that this music reflects the violent and turbulent times they were living in.they had a warrior mentality

[zipsrule]

@lionlove1 What about the violence and turbulence of our time.

[capnhawkins]

Gladiator!

[agilli]

Bellissimo

[CminorMaxG]

@ MissClareCharlotte

Núnc bibendum mihí est.

Id est mihí bibere.

[2serveand2protect]

HEY! Where did they get the front picture?

[Peacewalker98]

Anyone else have roman heritage?

[zipsrule]

@Peacewalker98 Most people of Southern and Western Europe have at least some "Roman" heritage.

[wkunzelman1]

If only Rome hadn't fallen. I can only imagine what the world would have been like now.

[Typicus]

@wkunzelman1 We would probably be speaking Latin. Ave Ivppiter.

[2serveand2protect]

@wkunzelman1 Nice question - tricky and impossible to answer. NO-ONE MAKES HISTORY ON "IF's". IT ISN'T SURE AT ALL we'd be speaking Latin.

The Empire expanded itself to the limits and couldn't go further.

Where Roman(Greek) culture became dominant (Iberia=Spain&Portugal/Gaul=Fr­ance/Italic penins.=Italy/Dacia=Romania, etc) they still speak Latin-derivated languages.With every probability - we'd be speaking one of those and nothing would have really changed.

...but that's just an opinion.

[heckubiss1]

@wkunzelman1 There was an episode of Sliders, and a few of Star Trek that covered that :)

[Indeed999]

This sounds slightly Middle Eastern! I love it!

[MissClareCharlotte]

Nunc est bibendum...

This is amazing music. Hypnotic!

[bieberfarts]

GOD this music makes me feel really high!!!!

[iamofthesea]

Είμαι περισσότερο ένας ανεμιστήρας της ελληνικής μουσικής αλλά και ρωμαϊκά είναι εντάξει

[iamofthesea]

Donec a fan of Greek and Roman more music, tamen suus 'bonus

[1tZn0TS34n]

orgy music

[caitsidhe]

This sounds very much like certain modes of classical Persian music.

[rnoches]

How were they able to duplicate notes. Did Romans write musical notes.

[peterkopko]

minkia industrial fu'................

[khepery]

this music si sinister..gives me the creeps..anyway its interesting..its different..i think i like it..al in all its in the context of those times

[EarthlingChild]

I LIKE IT EVERYBODY! I LIKE IT" :D

[Aleksei5]

Did the group write this music in an ancient style or is it a genuine (as can be) reproduction?

[NoShame86]

@Aleksei5 No Roman music piece survived, these are just modern productions

[RoyalPrussian]

@NoShame86 no actual music piece no.. neither ALL roman buildings/rituals are founded.... plus.

instruments did survive and in Istanbul theyve JUST discovered a complete roman city underneath the entire city... it was flooded and there they did find music pieces as well

[NoShame86]

@RoyalPrussian I do not mean the instruments, I mean no Roman music composition piece are known to have survived.

[Max0Inq]

@RoyalPrussian How was this city called? Possible to find this on google?

[RoyalPrussian]

@Max0Inq i dont know yet its discovered like 2 weeks ago... i saw it myself in istanbul. they started excavating just in front of the hagia sophia and i could see streets (like 10 meters lower than the streets of istanbul) ships and stuff like instruments, pots, tables etc. it remained very good thoughbetter than pompeii since it was always protected by.. well i dont know lol but they say it was flooded

[RoyalPrussian]

I think that is the actual COMPLETE city of Nova Roma...

[Max0Inq]

@RoyalPrussian Amazing! Thank you :)

[RoyalPrussian]

@Max0Inq no problem i just saw it being excevated myself.. i think that u may walk through it when its opened in like 1 or 2 years.. i go to istanbul every year lol

but the excavation isnt finished AND in danger.. They say that all of Fatih (a part of istanbul, look on google earth its exactly ancient constantinoples shape) might be standing on the city... they belive that this is going to be 'bigger' than pompeii.. for even pieces of paper,food,dyes etc are still there

[RoyalPrussian]

and the bad thing is... that they expect a heavy earthquake in istanbul within the next 10 or so years... however the turkish economy is the fastest growing in the world and they almost finished the defences against the earthquake... thats also why the hagia sophia was shut down for like 2 months

[Max0Inq]

@RoyalPrussian Is it possible to find anything related to this underground city on the internet?

[RoyalPrussian]

@Max0Inq i havent tried it out yet but it should be.. however the area is still closed off

[bieberfarts]

@RoyalPrussian I'm turkish and i say HOW IS THAT BAD?!?!?!?!?!?

[RoyalPrussian]

@bieberfarts how is what bad?

[Typicus]

@RoyalPrussian There have been various pieces of sheet music found scattered all over the roman area. We just don't have any clue how to follow it.

[RoyalPrussian]

@NoShame86 there are some founded in istanbul (recently) but the city there isnt excevated completely yet

[gabbie363]

listening to this while studying on ancient rome, helps me visualize better =))

[flipflopper101]

I feel like a stoner when listening to this but its so pretty!!!

[Bivakk]

even their music sounds mighty...

[1990Apolo]

que hermoso *_*

[SuperEngage1]

Sounds erotic.

[VisigothViking]

This song would go perfectly with the Oracle scene from 300.

[787310]

this is some creepy shit

[sergius666]

one word comes to my mind- pleasure!

[TheCptkrunch13]

If I were an ancient Roman I'd be all like "sick beats, mayne".

[uglyguido]

I can't find the vol 2 CD anywhere damnit!

[generalpatton3]

@uglyguido

Where did you find Volume 1? My channel has music from both. I also have the Roman music on my computer. In addition to many more gigs of other historical music. PM me if want any of it.

[HaoleLongpig]

@uglyguido Napster (the now legitimat version run by Best Buy) has both for streaming and download.

[HaoleLongpig]

@uglyguido Napster (the now legitimate version run by Best Buy) has both for streaming and download.

[megamanthehitman]

this reminds me of orgasims and murder

[forth1102]

Is there any way of telling if this is what Roman music sounded like? I thought music back than had a less linear sound structure.

[forth1102]

Is there anyway of telling if this is what ancient Roman music sounded like? Are there any surviving compositions from that time?

[Voodoozeko]

@forth1102 No roman music is unknown and no musical notation has survived. But it is speculated they have mostly copied greek music like other things. They are said to have no originality in music and also they didnt esteem musical art in spiritual way as greeks did. Few ancient greek musical notations have survived however so they have closest posible sound to roman music. This is one youtube video with original greek music: Ancient Greek Music - The Lyre of Classical Antiquity...

[mrtundra45]

sounds like trance music for pre battle.

[knoose]

This is ancient prince in a smoke tent, surrounded by playful bodies.

[Solipx]

@PatriaOMuerte year 3000.... lol

[affliction504]

I just visualized 14 beautiful naked women feeding me grapes

[generalpatton3]

@affliction504

Heh, well you should hear more of the sexual element in the Synaulia V video. I am pretty sure the sounds several women are making there are meant to resemble orgasms.. And the tune is much more lively.

[hep2jive]

@affliction504 and for me 20 cute guys feeding me grapes.

[hatemf23]

@hep2jive your gay then

[hep2jive]

@hatemf23 yup.

[hep2jive]

@hatemf23 you're = you are

[Whisperlands]

@affliction504 I visualized it too

[Cordine999]

@affliction504 I know what you mean lol

[inkstersco]

@affliction504

I just imagined a drafty hallway. Why?

[affliction504]

I can def hear this in a David Lynch film

[MissTrueIvory]

which hintruments are played? I hear something similar to the bagpipe

[yerk3]

@MissTrueIvory It might be a double flute.

[generalpatton3]

@yerk3

Yep, it could certainly be that. An aulos could be single or double, both with a reed and without. Most commonly the aulos was with a reed, so it is not usually a flute. But sometimes they were. The double aulos was usually reed, not woodwind, so it was not a flute. The reed ones were the ones that made the characteristic bagpipe sound. Synaulia uses all sorts of aulos though.

[generalpatton3]

@MissTrueIvory

Those are aulos. You can look it up - I am pretty sure even Wikipedia will have an article on it, since it was the most common instrument among Greeks and Romans.

[UpForDanceroid]

*sacrifices cat* D;< bu-buGAGAG

[Animeloverguy11]

This is Amazing ^ ^

[retarded0nightmare]

Did you hear that everyone?

That was the sound of the fourth wall, collapsing.

[jlhyz2]

this is kind scary soundning, but I do like it!

it really is like pychadelic music wow

[jlhyz2]

this is kind scary soundning, but I do like it!

[austenbosten]

Sounds like something from "The Ninth Gate."

[ahpacific]

Every time I here this I can't help but to reminded that it is eerie quality which is undoubtedly a consequence of its creator's genuine & meticulous effort for authenticity. It's analogous of somehow being given a real camera picture taken of some people at that time by aliens who left it here.  I feel like I experienced 2500 years ago for five minutes & it somehow didn't feel so foreign or distant to me.

[ahpacific]

@ahpacific *reminded of it's eerie*

[christomacin]

hmmm...I wonder if Ennio Morricone has every heard any of this music? It wouldn't surprise me if he was. He is well known for his knowledge of music from the Renaissance and Medieval, perhaps he had heard some Greek and Roman music as well. He is Italian after all.

[dagahanfdm]

Unfuckingbelieveable. Ancient Roman's dark ambient O_O

[rymaly]

This is so beautiful

[Uzbazur345]

Pulchera musicae

[Max0Inq]

If I had to make up a story for this song I would say something like this:

A Roman feast.

You are very fat noble man. Litres of vine you drunk made seeing almost impossible. Throught fog of alcohol shading your vision you see a half-naked dancer in front of you. You look at her unconsciously unaware of world around. Suddenly something falls at your torso - you look down and see a meal you were eating lies of your robe. But you don't care.

[Max0Inq]

@Max0Inq Everything around blurrs and you feel you're going to vomit. Vomit not only all the food you ate in amounts that would satisly dozens of your slaves, but vomit the life your live; vomit the world that calls your position honorable. But you feel it's just a play, everything is hollow and meaningless. You want to cry but you only burst with spasmodic cought. You fall at your back choking and slowly you lost consciousness. World around fades to black. It seems today feast is over for you.

[DoiMango]

@Max0Inq you sure you're not some Ministrel from other world? You sound like one(met few while i was travelling in the other parallel worlds, sadly they don't have youtube there...).

[Max0Inq]

@DoiMango Could you explain what you got on mind?

[DoiMango]

@Max0Inq Weel, common language: You have a great immagination, and i like the way you put what you're thinink in words(if what you said on those comment isn't copyed from a book). If you don't know the meaning for ministrel, it means some guy from the past that travelled from village to village telling storyes and singing for money and food. Same thing as a Bard(just that bards were in royal courts).

[Max0Inq]

@DoiMango Ok, I know what ministrel is. I was just wondering are you one of those new age / drug addicts who sometimes speak in such way. No offence. ; ]

[yerk3]

@Max0Inq It's a floating world. The alcohol haze, amplified by the kick sweet, pale lead, extends the haze over everyone in the room, like ships in a fog. The only ones unaffected are the slaves, and they are invisible. Everything dazzles: brilliant wall paintings, sparkling crystal wine cups, the scent of wine, perfume and exquisitely fermented food, the drifting strains of the music. But there are sharks in these waters. Rumors of war. Corruption. Things which are known, but must never be said

[yerk3]

@Max0Inq But what mind those things? The world may be consumed by fire tomorrow, but tonight, there is wine, there is sweet lead, there are crystal glasses, there is music. Let the problems of tomorrow float on away.

[Max0Inq]

@yerk3 What a lovely portrait of decadence! :)

[imjowsef]

@yerk3 Come whatever may, but tonight we live as Romans! :)

[PatriaOMuerte]

Year 3000:

-Did you know that westerners used to listen to a shemale singer called lady gaga?"

-Thank Allah that the chinese and fast food killed them all

[Noxzor]

I like this track but this sounds more like something from the Gladiator-soundtrack than actual Roman music. Is this based on some scraps of an actual piece of music, a re-imagining using actual Roman instruments and methods of making music or just plain modern fantasy?

[generalpatton3]

@Noxzor

What we today think of 'actual' Roman music were entirely fictitious soundtracks made for Spartacus, Cleopatra and *especially* Ben-Hur. While the soundtracks were quite splendid (Ben-Hur was phenomenal), they had no basis in history.

Gladiator took the more realistic route, even though Hans Zimmer is not exactly known for his historical realism (I still love him though). Yes, Roman music sounded rather 'Eastern' as most people will note. Roman music was also essentially Greek.

[generalpatton3]

@Noxzor

Yes, this music has much historical basis. Some of the Roman and Greek songs survived almost completely and you can hear them being faithfully reproduced by Musica Romana (I have all their music uploaded on my channel). Synaulia took the more imaginative route at times, but they are still very much realistic in the sense that their melodies, the beat, the rhythm - all of that is accurate.

[wasteofspace1234]

I guess they didn't listen to music very much, for the sake of their health.

[MysticRonin101]

This song sounds disturbing.

[Trance1972]

@MysticRonin101

I agree it's 'out there', but I like it because it IS so unique and unusual. Perhaps in another 2,000 years they will say our 'popular music' that we have today, is disturbing.

And they would be right.

[drrdragoss]

@MetallicThor I'm just saying that this particular piece of music sound very psychedelic.;)

[barpaza]

Roman music was the origin of western music

[Trance1972]

@barpaza

Rome was pretty much the origin of Western everything, Even our own laws and customs are derived from Rome.

[tamarro17]

@barpaza ma che menga c'entra? XD

[generalpatton3]

@MetallicThor

Well, you know the rule regarding the literary relation of victors to history? It also happens to apply to music ;)

On a more serious note, I have no idea. Sure, the Jews had their music, but I highly doubt it was any more original than the Roman music you were just listening to. Babylonia had such a well-developed and renowned music tradition that I have difficulty seeing the Jews resist such hefty cultural influence. Now, religious music may be another matter. Perhaps.

[barpaza]

Romans had GREAT music but they were such a huge and amazing power that the music felt short in comparison to the mighty power they had

[Zewtie]

2 barbarians listened to this.

[villarreal20]

@Zewtie i laughed so hard haha

[Vraya]

@Zewtie The scum are breeding. :\

[markkregel]

I wonder if the KINGDOM of Rome (pre-Republic) had this music?

[generalpatton3]

@markkregel

Definitely not :)

Classical and Imperial Roman music was practically all Greek. Prior to that, it was practically all Etruscan. Rome was never famous for its fine arts. Then again, Hellenes were never famous for their political unity. To each, their own.

In any case, this piece of music by Synaulia defies classification. I am no art historian - my classics degree focused on the usual male fare - politics, economics and warfare - even though the major requirement was lit. & arts.

[Devinfilms6679]

2 people were greeks

[generalpatton3]

@Devinfilms6679

Heh, funny that you say so, for most of Roman music was Greek. Not just in essence, but straight copies.

That said, you may be right. I cannot really say I have heard any Greek music of this sort. Perhaps this is one of those rare actual-Latin-influenced (Latin referring to the peoples, not language) pieces of Roman music. Synaulia tried to emphasise this. Musica Romana went the traditional route, i.e. basically playing Greek music, save for some parts of the Pugnate album.

[Devinfilms6679]

Since we know little of ancient Roman music, how can anyone say that it was "terrible"? We do know that Roman art and architecture were wonderful, and Europeans didn't rediscover how to equal these until the Renaissance. The notion of a people with great art and bad music makes no sense. I'll give the ancient Romans benefit of the doubt.

[drrdragoss]

The romans invented psychedelic music

[morty13pao]

@drrdragoss

It is based (as everything Roman) in Greek music.. and indeed is sound psychedelic to as...

[peterkopko]

@drrdragoss it's industrial

[kruelgor]

Don't forget orgies. This kind of music was played often during orgies.

[LibraryPervert]

This is actually a good rendition of a type of music that one would find back then. Sometimes it's hard to put a handle on the past with words -- but a lot of the music was of a genre what we might call "mystic trance", Dead Can Dance being a good example in the modern day.

[Saiaton]

There's on record that when Greek singers were on stage, the crowd often rioted in demand for something more 'rock'. One of the worst things held against Nero was his appearance in Greek theatre singing Greek. He played the water-organ as well (it used water to compress the air) and since other Roman instruments are mainly military trumpets, chances are that popular public music was often 'oompah stuff'. The quieter string instruments and flutes were copied from Greece. Christ would hear Greek

[ViquezBonicheSanJose]

La musica vecchia italiana romana e bella.

[LaCarusiella]

this could be a horror movie soundtrack...honestly HOW DID THEY COME UP WITH THIS???

[ahpacific]

Does this mean that if Christ ever heard music in a public setting it probably sounded similar to these songs?

[generalpatton3]

@ahpacific

You could technically put it that way, but this type of music was more often played at private performances/parties&symposium­s. Quite a bit of Musica Romana's Pugnate stuff was music that was likely played at gladiatorial games. That is the most public music I can think of. And then there is the temple music.

However, I doubt Jesus, or Yeshua, went to Roman temples and/or gladiatorial fights. However, the private party setting is more or less plausible.

[ahpacific]

@generalpatton3 Thank you for the insightful response. It was very helpful - very interesting, intriguing, eerie and at the same time beautiful music.

[pepehorhae]

@ahpacific what would happen if ozzy and his band had the same technology and capabilities and played rock at the early roman times?

and he sings in roman language?

[DaejeonGangster]

@generalpatton3 How do people know what the ancient Roman music sounded like?

[biagiotti2006]

@ahpacific Maybe, if Christ existed that is.... which he didn't.

[ahpacific]

@biagiotti2006 I really do wish I could convince myself to be as certain as you are that Christ did not in fact exist or to be as certain as the other people who seem to be absolutely sure that he did. I find myself incapable of convincing myself either way and that forces me to be humble and not to assert my opinions on others.

[biagiotti2006]

@ahpacific I guess if it would be easier for me to believe in imaginary people were I schizophrenic. Whatever floats your boat!

[generalpatton3]

@biagiotti2006

Christ existed... in a physical sense. Whether he existed in the same sense as it is written in the Bible - who knows? Only a time machine - or death - will answer that question.

On the other hand, a floating boat is preferable. Everyone floats their boat with something. No one floats their boats in clear waters. It's all murky. Very much so. I float my boat in the same waters as you do :) , but I do not ridicule other's waters, for mine are also far from spring water.

[biagiotti2006]

@generalpatton3 Cool story bro.

[Hamel1n]

inmortal esta musica es inmortal

[SirRalphSadler]

I really like this. It is so unique and rather haunting. Thanks for sharing.

[Uxoriouswidow]

How was the music reconstructed, and how accurately we can expect this recording to reflect the original sound and construction?

[Peterfookertube]

For some reason, this reminds me of A Clockwork Orange.

[Legeon86]

Sounds like this should be playing in a Zelda dungeon.

[Teaohdede]

Ave Roma

Roma Immortalis

[guidodeb]

Thank you for posting it!!! nice

[Frankrado]

Outstanding. What period of Roman history is this?

[generalpatton3]

@Frankrado

Should be around first century BCE through first century CE. Somewhere in this period. Not that the Roman music changed much between 2nd century BCE and 4th century CE...

Music was the last thing the Romans were famous for. Their own distinct music died out in roughly by the late 3rd century or early 2rd century BCE. In the upper circles that is. Who knows what they listened to in small towns and villages?

[MaBu888]

@generalpatton3

In villages:

SCRIBITE AC CIPPV SAPIENTES DISTANTIAS VOSTRAAAAS CANEEEEEEMVS

[MaBu888]

@generalpatton3

CANTVS PRIMVS VICINVS SEV VICANVS

SCRIBITE AD CIPPVM SAPIENTES DISTANTIAS VOSTRAS

SIC VT BENE CACAMVS DEORSVM

ET ADVENAS NOS EDVCEREMVS

GRAECISVPERBIS DISMITTERE

NOBIS PLACERE

Made it up mahself. Just for fun. Authenticity is secondary in such a song. The melody can be easily thought of. a good ancient roman melody.

[CptSchmidt]

this is great. thanks so much for posting this.

[nesossin]

This is amazing,thanks for uploading.

[Konfu]

Pretty heavy tunes. Somebody should make a death metal cover of this.

[Spaceexplosionexpert]

This Melody is about Sex thats why yur creeped out virgin boy

[Pittakos79]

Beatiful and mysterious sounds. I like ancient religious music.

[sorrypapawxz]

This is 10 times better than all this new culture with gangster music and other crap that comes out nowdays!

[Jow45metal]

@sorrypapawxz

Totally agree!!

[diagreen]

LOVE IT.YOU CAN ALMOST FEEL THE PAST THANX

[Blutroth]

this is SO awsome and mystic! Can this cd anyone send me as mp3?

[generalpatton3]

@Blutroth

Yeah, I have all of the music that I have uploaded on YouTube (and then much more) as mostly .mp3 files (Musica Romana is .wav format). I can upload all of it onto Dropbox. Do you want all of the music, or just Synaulia?

[anatoliduhanin]

Guys, I'm not a religious fanatic, but this is a music of Devil.

[generalpatton3]

@anatoliduhanin

Это хорошо или плохо? xP

[anatoliduhanin]

@generalpatton3

Эта музыка завораживает, она действует на подсознание. Но в ней чувствуется душевная боль, тоска и непонятная опасность.

[generalpatton3]

@anatoliduhanin

It is possible, but I read that much of music interpretation is highly subjective, and based on current feelings of the interpreter. I tend to think of this piece as similar to the pagan music of the Germanic or Celtic tribes. Hymns to Wotan (equivalent of Odin) bear eerie similarity to this...

[anatoliduhanin]

@generalpatton3

Despair and hopelessness are the two principal attributes of this music and devil's inspiration. 

[Max0Inq]

Remember game Sacrifice?