Seikilos epitaph
Monument Ancient Greek musical inscription and the oldest complete song
The Seikilos epitaph is an ancient marble funerary stele bearing a complete musical score and lyric from antiquity, dated to the early Roman imperial period. The artifact is widely cited as the oldest surviving complete musical composition.
As an object rather than a site, the epitaph consists of a short text of lyrics and notated melody carved onto a cylindrical or rectangular tombstone; the notation preserves both pitch and rhythmic indications used in ancient Greek music. It is primarily of interest to scholars of ancient music, epigraphy and classicists rather than general architectural visitors.
The stele was found in western Anatolia near the ancient city of Tralles and is dated to the 1st century CE or thereabouts; it bears the name Seikilos and a short funerary inscription. It was brought to collections in Europe in the 19th century and has been studied as a unique surviving example of ancient musical notation.
The artifact is part of museum collections in Denmark and is displayed in the National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen.
- Musical significance: The inscription and musical notation together form the oldest surviving complete musical composition from the ancient Greco-Roman world, often cited in studies of ancient music.
Tips for Visiting Seikilos epitaph #
- The Seikilos epitaph is held in the National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen-ask at the information desk for its location in the Greek/Roman displays to avoid hunting through galleries.
- Visit the museum on a weekday morning when the galleries are quieter so you can study the small inscription and accompanying explanatory panels without crowds.
Best Time to Visit Seikilos epitaph #
Weather & Climate near Seikilos epitaph #
Seikilos epitaph's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 3°C to 35°C. Moderate rainfall (679 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 12°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (124 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm).
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May
May is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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June
June is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 17°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 35°C and lows of 20°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 6 mm and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 31°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (137 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
