Inscription with the oldest written Greek notation of a melody. From the Athenian treasury. 128 BCE.
Detail from one of several marble slabs from the Athenian treasury with carved musical inscriptions - hymns to Apollo. This is the oldest written notation of a melody. The verses are written in the Ionic alphabet with notes inscribed for the choral and instrumental scores. The music for the instruments (cithara, lyre, flute) was written in combinations of characters and punctuation. The hymns were composed by Athenaios and Limenios to accompany sacrifices and ceremonies in honor of Apollo during the procession of the Pythais (Athenian officials and pilgrims). They were sung by a large choir accompanied by lyres and flutes. Inscribed on the treasury's wall in 128 BCE. Exhibited at the Delphi Museum, Greece.