The Peloponnese is the southernmost peninsula of mainland Greece, a mountainous region linked to the rest of the country only by a narrow strip of land. It is one of the most important regions for lovers of ancient Greece, home to the sacred and cultural sites of Epidaurus, Corinth, Olympia, Mycenae, Sparta, and more. Beyond its classical heritage, there are also many exquisite Byzantine centers to explore, such as Monemvasia and Mystras, not to mention its outstanding natural beauty and awe-inspiring horizons.

Music accompanied most, if not all, rites of passage, communal events, and private life in ancient Greece. Below are a few of the most well-known and important instruments of the ancient Greek world. I’ve also included origin stories and myths for some of the Greek instruments — the gods, places, and plants that were connected to the sounds of the ancient landscape.

The lyre, kithara, aulos, frame drum…ancient instruments that create a sound so earthen, it makes the hairs on my arms stand on end.
Here is a curated selection of modern artists playing the ancient Greek sounds, as well as modern interpretations of the ancient Greek songs.

The Pine is a resinous, coniferous evergreen found blanketing the mountainsides and dotting the coastal regions of the Mediterranean. Protected by the oreiades, the Pine is also sacred to the god Dionysos and is used to decorate the sacred thyrsus. A potent teacher of strength in the face of life’s challenges, Pine can be incorporated into daily ceremonies to strengthen resilience and bring protection.