---
title: Tibia
author: New York Metropolitan Museum of Art
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3812/tibia/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Tibia
_Authored by New York Metropolitan Museum of Art_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/3812.jpg)
## Image Caption
"The tibia was sounded with a double reed, and two pipes would have been played simultaneously. The small tubes or chimneys projecting from the side of this instrument and the rings encircling its body were likely part of a complex mechanical system designed to increase the number of notes and modal scales that could be played on a single instrument. Often played in pairs, tibia were widespread throughout the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/) world. They varied in length and construction and were used in many contexts: funerals, sacrificial rites, banquets, boxing matches, marriages and games." Late [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/), Syrian, ca. 1–500 CE. Length 58.6cm. Made of ivory, [silver](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silver/), chalcedony. New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Art, N. Y. M. M. o. (2015, April 16). Tibia. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Art, New York Metropolitan Museum of. "Tibia." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 16, 2015. .
### MLA
Art, New York Metropolitan Museum of. "Tibia." *World History Encyclopedia*, 16 Apr 2015, .
## License & Copyright
© [Metropolitan Museum of Art](http://metmuseum.org/), NY. As part of the [Met's Open Access policy](https://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/policies-and-documents/open-access), the Metropolitan Museum of Art has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this dataset. [Original image](http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/503699?rpp=30&pg=3&ft=roman+music&pos=71) by [**New York Metropolitan Museum of Art**](http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/503699?rpp=30&pg=3&ft=roman+music&pos=71). Submitted by [James Lloyd](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jtl203/ "User Page: James Lloyd"), published on 16 April 2015. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.