Unique Artifacts
to cherish for a lifetime
Lyre of Hermes (7 or 9 strings) – ancient Greek lyre
640.00 € – 740.00 €
“So then, I will give you this lyre, glorious son of Zeus…” – Homeric Hymn to Hermes, line 490
This is a replica of a chelys lyre, named after the ancient god Hermes. According to ancient Greek mythology, Hermes was the one who invented the lyre in the first place. As the story goes, the young god Hermes stole a herd of sacred cows from Apollo. Along the way, Hermes slaughtered one of them and offered all but the entrails to the gods. From the entrails, he created the lyre. Apollo was furious, but after hearing the sound of the lyre, his anger faded. He offered to trade the herd of cattle for the lyre. LUTHIEROS Lyre of Hermes has 7 strings, and it can be considered as a base instrument for anyone willing to learn how to play it, as many top players and lyre instructors use 7-strings lyres for their courses. A 9-string version is also available, giving a chromatic range of a full octave. With the use of harmonics and other advanced playing techniques, a 7-string or 9-string lyre can produce three to four full octaves, along with the sharps!
“He sang the story of the deathless gods and the dark earth, how at the first they came to be, and how each one received his portion.” – Homeric Hymn to Hermes, line 414-435
Manufactured at the premises of the ancient Europos (Northern Greece) by a family of musicians and luthiers, the LUTHIEROS Lyre of Hermes is made exclusively using natural materials available during the antiquity. All parts are made of quality wood with great musicality, the soundbox is a reproduction of an actual tortoiseshell, 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.
Museum
Shop
Pieces of history
Bring the Museum
back Home
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.
Explore more in the options below...
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.