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. ;)

[nutmeg3.livejournal.com]

I bet Dwight is not above using a spadix to seduce the girls. *g*

[wistfulmemory.livejournal.com]

I love it when I see the sacred chickens icon. I know I'm about to read something amazing. I am sadden that you cannot find a picture of a spadix (what is this world coming to?!?!), but I'm loving the quote. Now I'm wondering what happens if a virgin does touch one. Does she magically turn into a defiled woman, or does something even worse happen? Curious minds want to know!

[oxymoron67.livejournal.com]

Spadix: despoiler of maidens.

See, that sounds like a Prog Rock band from the 70's to me.