By Charles Halton on Wednesday, 13 February 2008 at 9:04 am
In my spare time I am reading through Nele Ziegler’s Les Musiciens et la musique d’après les archives de Mari . I’m not that far along yet, but I have found that the lifestyle of prominent ancient musicians was similarly cushy as in modern times.
If you could avoid castration being a musician for the royal court was a pretty good gig. (Presumably this was done to prevent voice changes. While there were eunuch singers this was not always the case since there are many records of musician families, i.e. father, mother and kids.) As payment for their services royal musicians often received land along with seed and agricultural tools to work the land. The musicians also were given gifts such as garments and jewelry.
Also, just like modern times it seems that ancient musicians could act like prima donnas. In a funny letter a miffed musician bends the king’s ear because he felt that he did not receive adequate gifts:
Is it appropriate that I render a good service to my lord while not receiving a present from my lord?
The world has changed a lot in the ca. 4000 years since this was written. On the other hand, it hasn’t changed that much–musicians still like their nice cloths and fancy bling.
Comments (6)
Category: Akkadian Language,All,Mesopotamia
- Add this post to
- Del.icio.us -
- Digg
Comment by Chris
Made Wednesday, 13 of February , 2008 at 10:18 pm
That’s the way you do it — money for nothin’ and your chicks for free…
Comment by jake
Made Thursday, 14 of February , 2008 at 5:30 pm
after this post i had to follow-up with a groaner: they weren’t in dire straits. im already embarrassed. 
Comment by Alan Lenzi
Made Thursday, 14 of February , 2008 at 9:11 pm
>>there are many records of musician families
Comment by Alan Lenzi
Made Saturday, 16 of February , 2008 at 2:33 am
I was a performance major for the first three semesters of college (classical guitar), so the whole musician thing rings true to me. I wasn’t a spandex wearing rock star or anything. But music is one of the things that got this really beautiful woman (who’d later become my wife) interested in me. I’d invite her to come by the music bldg. and listen to me practice. Our first five dates were just hanging out in the practice rooms (unofficial dates). Tiny rooms, all alone, with classical guitar music playing–it was a recipe for romance!
>>there are many records of musician families
Comment by Alan Lenzi
Made Saturday, 16 of February , 2008 at 2:34 am
continued:
Really? Are LP’s that old? I was just telling my students the other day that we still haven’t found any sound recordings.
Pingback by Blue Cord » Biblical Studies Blog Carnival XXVII
Made Monday, 3 of March , 2008 at 11:12 am
[...] interested in music, point your browser to Awilum where you can read Charles Halton’s post on musicians at Mari. Duane Smith at Abnormal Interests discusses KTU 1.48, a Ugaritic Ritual Text possibly written by a [...]
