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9 - The Profession of Mousikē in Classical Greece

from Part IV - Case Studies of Professions 2: Music and Athletics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2020

By
Edmund Stewart
Edited by
Edmund Stewart ,
Edward Harris  and
David Lewis
Edmund Stewart
Affiliation:
University of Nottingham
Edward Harris
Affiliation:
University of Durham
David Lewis
Affiliation:
University of Edinburgh
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Summary

This paper explores the impact of acknowledged skill in mousikē (the ancient term which refers to the whole art of poetry, music and drama) on the income, identity and social status of poets, actors and musicians in the classical period. It is argued that the social status of these professionals depended on public recognition of the usefulness of their individual skills and the personal reputations of performers, rather than their economic class or legal order.

Keywords

Greek theatreGreek MusicNew Musicaulos playerstragedycomedy
Type
Chapter
Information
Skilled Labour and Professionalism in Ancient Greece and Rome , pp. 269 - 292
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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