---
title: Kithara
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Kithara/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Kithara
_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_
The *kithara* (guitar) was a stringed musical instrument, related to the [lyre](https://www.worldhistory.org/Lyre/), played by the ancient Greeks and closely associated with the [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) [Apollo](https://www.worldhistory.org/apollo/), although in [mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/mythology/) its invention is attributed to [Hermes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hermes/) who manufactured the instrument from a tortoise shell (*chelys*). Musicians (*kitharistu*) needed great skill to play this difficult instrument, and it was usually played in self-accompaniment to a song (*kitharodeia*).
Performances of the *kithara* were usually the most popular in festivals and musical competitions such as the Delia, the great Ionian [music](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Music/) festival held on [Delos](https://www.worldhistory.org/delos/) from the [Archaic period](https://www.worldhistory.org/Archaic_Period/). Playing of the *kithara* was also an important part of any young [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) male's all-round education.
The instrument is composed of a wooden sound box (*echeion*) with tail-piece (*chordotonon*), two flexible upper arms (*pecheis*) or horns (*herata*) joined by a horizontal tuning bar or bridge (*zygos*) with tuning pegs (*kollopes*) and it usually has seven strings, as opposed to the earlier *phorminx*, which had only five. The flexibility of the arms apparatus provides a 'wave' like sound, and the notes produced by the instrument are strong and deep. Played with the instrument in an upright position and resting in the lap or sometimes supported by a strap over the shoulder, two hands were used to pluck the strings simultaneously, usually with a plectrum of wood, ivory, or [metal](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/metal/).
The instrument is often depicted in representations of the god Apollo on ancient Greek red- and black-figure [pottery](https://www.worldhistory.org/pottery/) and in sculpture. The kithara was also a popular motif on coins throughout the Classical and [Hellenistic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hellenic_World/) periods. Delos, with its close association with Apollo, used the kithara on its coins, one of the earliest being the [silver](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silver/) didrachm from the 6th century BCE. Further examples include the silver tetrobol of the Koinon (League) of Chalkideans (4th century BCE), the silver drachma of Kolophon (389-350 BCE), and the coins from many [Lycian](https://www.worldhistory.org/lycia/) [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) and [Kos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Kos/) (166-88 BCE). In the [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) period, Lycian coins depicting [Augustus](https://www.worldhistory.org/augustus/) and [Trajan](https://www.worldhistory.org/trajan/) were often backed with a kithara design.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- Andrikou, E. (et al). *Gifts from the Muses.* Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Athens, 2004
- Carabatea, M. *Greek Mythology.* Pergamos, Peania, 2007
- [Carpenter, T.H. *Art and Myth in Ancient Greece.* Thames & Hudson, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B000EQ2DA0/)
- [Kotsanas, K. *THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OF THE ANCIENT GREEKS.* Kostas Kotsanas, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/960931614X/)
## About the Author
Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.
## External Links
- [Music and creativity in Ancient Greece - Tim Hansen](http://ed.ted.com/lessons/music-and-creativity-in-ancient-greece-tim-hansen)
- [The Kithara in Ancient Greece | Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History](https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kith/hd_kith.htm)
## Cite This Work
### APA
Cartwright, M. (2012, June 24). Kithara. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Kithara." *World History Encyclopedia*, June 24, 2012. .
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Kithara." *World History Encyclopedia*, 24 Jun 2012, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 24 June 2012. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.