MUSIQUE DE LA GRECE ANTIQUE

Music of Ancient Greece – p. 21
phorminx: primitive lyra; probably the most ancient stringed instrument played by the
epic-singers called aoedoi. It had two arms made of horn. Homer referred to it as
perikalles (= "very beautiful"). [See above.]
photinx: wooden transverse aulos, of Egyptian origin, similar to the plagiaulos.
physallis: a kind of aulos; from the word physan (= "to blow"). The name is mentioned
by Aristophanes and Lysistratos.
plagiaulos: a transverse aulos which, according to Pollux, was of Lybian origin and
made of lotus wood. It was characterized by the use of a fine membrane that
covered one hole, thus producing a sound similar to that produced by the reed of
a normal aulos. Its special tone color is recalled by the modern "mirliton" or
"eunnuca flute". [Included in the set of auloi above.]
psalterion: a generic term for stringed instruments played directly by the fingers without
the use of a plectrum. However, the word psalterion was used in the sense of a
specific instrument. Latin: psalterium. From the verb psallein (= "to touch with
the fingers").
psaltinx: a kind of kithara.
pteron: an unknown instrument; probably a wind instrument because it is usually associated
in Greek literature with the auloi and the hydraulos. Literally means "wing".
pythikon: an unknown stringed instrument also called dactylikon.