LAS1105 - Music in the Ancient World - L-Universit脿 ta' Malta

Course Title

LAS1105 - Music in the Ancient World

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

Semester 2

4 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-Time Evening

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This micro-credential is offered as part of the programme for the Liberal Arts and Sciences and will only be offered subject to a minimum number of applications received. More information can be found on the PLAS website.

This Unit explores music鈥檚 role, significance, and development in ancient civilisations, including Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and others. Students will examine the musical instruments, theoretical frameworks, cultural significance, and music-related archaeological artefacts from these cultures. The learning experience will be enhanced through interactive and hands-on activities.

Main Reading List

Comotti, Giovanni. 1989. Music in Greek and Roman Culture (Baltimore and London: The Johns Hopkins University Press)
McKinnon, James. 1987. Music in Early Christian Literature (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)
Manniche, Lise. 1991. Music and Musicians in Ancient Egypt (London: British Museum Press)
Morley, Iain. 2013. The Prehistory of Music (Oxford: Oxford University Press)
Sadie, Stanley (ed.). 2001. The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 2nd edn (London:Macmillan)

Supplementary Reading List

Barker, Andrew. 1984. Greek Musical Writings Volume I The Musician and his Art (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)
Correa Caceres, Juan Sebastian. 2023. The Aulos in Classical and Late Antiquity: Acculturation, Diffusion, and Syncretism in Socio-Musical Processes of the Mediterranean (Berlin: Logos)
Braun, Joachim. 2002. Music in Ancient Israel/Palestine: Archaeological, Written, and Comparative Sources (Grand Rapids, Michigan and Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company).
Dumbrill, Richard J. 2005. The Archaeomusicology of the Near East (Victoria and Oxford: Trafford Publishing).
European Music Archaeology Project. 2015. http://www.emaproject.eu/ [accessed 25 March 2025]
The British Museum. 2025. 鈥楢 history of world music in 15 instruments鈥�, https://www.britishmuseum.org/blog/history-world-music-15-instruments
West, Martin Litchfield. 1992. Ancient Greek Music (Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, Clarendon Press)
World History Encyclopedia. 2025. https://www.worldhistory.org/

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding

By the end of the Unit the student will be able to:

Identify, classify, and describe different types of ancient musical instruments, their functions, and the
cultural contexts in which they were used.
List and differentiate between the musical traditions of various ancient cultures.
Describe the significance of music鈥攊ts impact on social structures, religious rituals, and events鈥攊n various ancient cultures.

Learning Outcomes: Skills

By the end of the Unit the student will be able to:

Use written texts, iconography, and archaeological evidence to explore ancient musical traditions.

Non EU Applicants:

EUR180

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Micro-credentials offer the possibility of providing flexible learning pathways to respond to evolving needs and new developments, thus enabling students to tailor their studies to their needs. Micro-credentials may be combined or transferred into larger credentials, such as certificates, diplomas and degrees, provided that the relevant programme requirements are met. Applicants wishing to transfer micro-credentials to a programme of study are encouraged to seek the advice of the relevant academic entity.