Unique Artifacts
to cherish for a lifetime
Lyre of Apollo (11 strings) – ancient Greek lyre
1,390.00 €
Apollo took the lyre upon his left arm and tried each string with the key.
Awesomely it sounded at the touch of the god
while he sang sweetly to its note.
— Homeric Hymn to Hermes, line 500
This is a replica of the ancient Greek lyre, named after Apollo, one of the major deities in ancient Greece. Apollo has been recognized as the god of Music, Healing and Prophecy, the Sun and Light, Poetry, and more. According to Plato, humans’ innate ability to delight in music, rhythm, and harmony is the gift of Apollo and the Muses.
There are quite a few mythological and historical accounts regarding Apollo’s lyre. Among the most impressive ones can be found in Ovid’s Heroides, where Apollo built the walls of Troy just by playing his lyre.
LUTHIEROS Lyre of Apollo has 11 strings, and it is ideal for both amateurs willing to learn how to play an ancient musical instrument, and skilled musicians with harp, guitar or piano background. Thanks to its string number, this lyre can give a chromatic range of a full octave. With the use of harmonics, hroes and other advanced playing techniques, a 11-string lyre can produce three to four full octaves, along with the sharps!
Manufactured at the premises of the ancient Europos (Northern Greece) by a family of musicians and luthiers, the LUTHIEROS Lyre of Apollo is made exclusively using natural materials available during the antiquity. All parts are made of quality wood with great musicality, while the tuning pegs are made by ebony and mulberry wood. The bottom part of the strings is attached to animal skin, while the plectrum is manufactured by wood.
This ancient artifact was evolved to become a modern musical instrument ready to be used by both amateur and professional musicians. For all the minor (but very important) alterations, top-notch technologies were used during the prototyping phase (such as 3d Modeling and rapid prototyping) as part of University-based research by members of LUTHIEROS family. Key collaborations include the International Hellenic University and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
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There is no benefit when music stands secret and hidden.
— Lucian, 2nd c. CE
SEIKILO Museum offers a fine selection of premium products closely related to our ancient world's musical heritage. Whether a replica of a lyre or another ancient musical instrument, sheet music of ancient surviving melodies, books about the history & myths of music in ancient Greece, or pristine quality recordings of ancient-inspired melodies, you can take with you a unique piece of history that you will cherish for a lifetime and even pass on to the next generation of your family.
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Bring the Museum to your Home
Acquire an Artifact
Discover the magic of ancient music with the handcrafted instrument recreations of the unique SEIKILO collection, such as a lyre, a kithara, a phorminx, or a pandura!
Preserve the Stories
All the myths and stories you heard during your visit to the SEIKILO Museum are but a mere fragment of what was written. Explore the legacy of the lyre through SEIKILO museum-quality books!
Experience Ancient Music at Home
Replicate the amazing experience of a SEIKILO museum visit by listening to studio-quality recordings of surviving ancient melodies and contemporary compositions on ancient musical instruments.
Ancient Games, Modern Play
Αncient Greeks designed a series of highly educational games through which the youngsters sharpened their minds and developed critical thinking. Experience the timelessness of play with our series of ancient board games for the whole family, handcrafted with premium materials.