I love it when Romans get their grump on about modern music

[lesbiassparrow]

I am reading Quintilian's guide to raising the ideal orator and came across this gem (after he has been complaining about effeminate modern music and its indecent rhythms):

"Also no one should use the psaltry or the spadix [both types of harps or lyres], which decent virgins should even shrink from touching" (Institutes of Oratory 1.10.31)

KEEP YOUR VIRGINS FROM THE SPADIX, PARENTS! Sadly I do not have a picture of these instruments of wickedness, so that you can be on the lookout for them. But you can see from my icon that the sacred chickens DO NOT APPROVE OF THESE CORRUPT DEVICES.

Comments

[jenlev.livejournal.com]

Heee! That's awesome. Humans and their new fangled toys. ;)

[lesbiassparrow.livejournal.com]

I wish I could find a picture of this dangerous instrument. I am totally fascinated by the idea that merely touching it brings disaster.

[jenlev.livejournal.com]

It's got to be online somewhere!

Ironically enough, it appears to be the name of that oh so phallic flower....makes me wonder, which came first...heh.

[lesbiassparrow.livejournal.com]

I looked! I thought it had to be some sort of phallic instrument too, but my Latin dictionary tells me that it was a stringed instrument. Of exceeding corruptness, according to Quintilian.

[jenlev.livejournal.com]

Well, you know those stringed instruments. Always up to something or another.