As with all Greek history, there is no telling of the story without intermixing some Greek gods and goddesses as well.  It does make it all that much more interesting after all.  Orpheus and Eurydice are the center piece of many of these Greek music stories.  Amphion built the incredible city of  Thebes and Cadmea, and was said to have been able to move the stones of the city with his music.  Musical contests were a favorite past time apparently of the gods as well.  The Sirens and their haunting sounds are known by many.

There’s not a big stretch to go from poetry to music, so you know Homer, the great Greek poet will have something to add here.  Both the Odyssey and the Iliad have elements of music dispersed throughout.  Music means different things, to different cultures.  To some music was a passion and highly emotional experience.   Music also had it’s place in both religion and education by many.  That is a tradition that continues to current days and in many cultures.  The value of teaching through music, or heightening spiritual awareness is widely known.

While the past is interesting and all, sampling a little greek music radio ( ράδιο ελληνικής μουσικής ), is bound to give you a taste of where this form of music as come to in the modern age.  I personally love to listen to different types of music from other cultures.  While it’s true, that there is probably more the same then there is different, I still enjoy the experience.  Even if I don’t always understand the words.  I only speak English.  You can still get a sense for what the song is about, through the rhythm and feeling of it.  I like it, as it broadens my musical horizons just a little bit more.

Give it a try, you may find, you have more Greek in you then you knew.