“Some say the Muses are nine: how careless! Look, there’s Sappho too, from Lesbos, the tenth.” – Plato, epigram in the Anthologia Palatina

This is a replica of a Barbiton lyre, named after the ancient Greek poet Sappho (well known for her poetry, full of passion and eroticism). It was during her time (6th century B.C.) that an eighth string was introduced to the ancient lyres. Barbiton lyre was used throughout Greece, and especially in Lesbos.

LUTHIEROS Barbiton Lyre has 8 strings, and so a chromatic range of a full octave! This is why it is ideal for anyone willing to enter the world of ancient music for the first time. Furthermore, it is a very capable musical instrument for an advanced musician too, willing to make the transition from western music to the ancient one!

Barbiton lyres were the main instrument during the ancient symposium and the Dionysian orgies, thanks to its deeper and sweeter sound (due to the greater length of its strings, compared to chelys lyres). Until the 4th century B.C., the barbiton lyres were disappeared from ancient Greece to be re-introduced by the Romans mainly for sacrificial rituals.

“Solon of Athens heard his nephew sing a song of Sappho’s over the wine and, since he liked the song so much, he asked the boy to teach it to him. When someone asked him why, he said: ‘So that I may learn it, then die.’ “- Florilegium (3.29.58) of Stobaeus