1/5) The hydraulis of Dion, an incredibly rare and complete pipe organ from the ancient world. The organ, powered by a system of pumps and compressed air regulated by a water tank, would have been played to accompany theatrical shows and arena spectacles...
2/5) The hydraulis was discovered on 19 August 1992 under a destruction layer inside a building in the centre of ancient Dion, Greece. The organ has 24 wide and 16 narrow bronze pipes, and was originally decorated with silver and polychrome glass.
3/5) To provide some comparison, this 2nd century AD mosaic from Nennig, Germany shows the opening of the Roman games being announced by musicians; one playing a compact version of the hydraulis water organ.
4/5) Dating to the 1st century BC, the Dion hydraulis is the earliest known pipe organ from the ancient world, making it by extension the oldest keyboard instrument in existence.
5/5) The hydraulis, described by ancient writers like Hero of Alexandria and Vitruvius, would evolve into the air-powered bellows organ in Roman times, and eventually the church organ so familiar to Christian worship. Dion Archaeological Museum.
The evocative sound of a reconstructed hydraulis played by Justus Willberg of the European Music Archaeology Project.
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