Dithyrambs is what? The meaning of the phraseology "sing praises"

Sometimes we hear people talking about someone who praises another person immeasurably: "Yes this is nothing but dithyrambs!" This expression is quite common, but how many people know that it came to us from the Greek language? And once it had a completely different meaning than it is now, and was not used in an ironic sense. Let's get acquainted with the history of this phraseology, and with how his understanding changed over time.

What does "dithyramb" mean in Greek?

A long time ago this word denoted the lofty choral songs of praise and even dances performed in honor of the ancient god of wine, Dionysus. Since these festivities were dedicated to nature and its fertility, they were accompanied by so-called orgies - drinking wine, feasting and even, as some authors assure, promiscuous sexual relations of participants. But whether it was in fact, it is not exactly known. We only know that the admirers of Dionysus experienced a sacred madness during dances, and the people sang at the same time the hymns that were dedicated to him.

A bit of history

It is believed that the earliest praises are the choral hymns of the island of Delos. However, many of the poetic passages that have come down to us belong to the Athenians. It was from them that the expression "sing praises" was used. The meaning of this phrase in Athens was very simple. About fifty men and boys, disguised as satyrs, stood in a circle and sang hymns to Dionysus, accompanied by a professional theatrical choir, and sometimes some musical instruments. Each chorus was headed by the so-called "coryphaeus". Subsequently, in ancient Greece, even the criteria were developed for what is a dithyramb as a musical genre. First of all, the text of a choral song must have a special rhythm, be antistrophic. It should be accompanied by the accompaniment of Aulus, and also in the Phrygian manner. In addition, it requires a special, very solemn and pathos stylistics. Between the choirs performing the praises, at the ancient festivities, such as Dionysia and Lenaia.

Music and Literature

Thus, the most ancient hymns, which were so called, were folk songs. But later they acquired an individual character. The earliest dithyramb was apparently created by the poet Archilochus in honor of "Lord Dionysus," as evidenced by the text of the 7th century BC. However, Herodotus attributes the palm tree to a certain Arion of Lesbos. So, praises are a special kind of ancient Greek music and literature, close to what is meant by a hymn and panegyric. But this word has other meanings. Two centuries after Arion, the poet Bacchilides even brought this genre closer to a dramatic dialogue performed for choral singing. Famous poems Pindar also became famous for the pathos. The most widespread genre of dithyrambus was in the fifth century BC. It was headed by the poets of the so-called "new music". The most famous representatives of this direction were Timothy of Miletus, Melanippid and Filoxet from the island of Quater. After a hundred years, the genre began to decline, and then completely lost popularity, although the competitions between the choruses, singing praises, continued until the conquest of Greece by Rome.

What do philosophers say?

Although the word was popular in antiquity, its origin is not Greek. Dithyrambs - this, apparently, was one of the ancient epithets of the god of wine. The philosopher Plato in the dialogue "Laws" discusses various meanings of musical genres. There he says as follows: "I think that the birth of Dionysus is called a dithyramb". And in his famous "Republic", which dates back to the fourth century BC, Plato gives one more interpretation of the word "dithyramb". The meaning of this term in poetry, he understands as an exceptional way of author's poetic self-expression, bordering on ecstasy. Plutarch speaks of dithyramb, as a stormy speech, full of enthusiasm. He contrasts the hymns written in this style with the more calm and harmonious praises of Apollo. Aristotle believes that this is the basis and source of the Greek tragedy. We already mentioned the poet Vahilid so called the dialogue between the singer and the choir in the tragedy. Then the choir was replaced by another actor.

In the New History

Europe tried to return to the praises during the Renaissance. Then there were various laudatory odes to the princes of the Church and secular politicians. But already at that time such a poetic genre was viewed critically and mockingly. Especially popular were the praises in the Baroque era, when the authors tried to revive the ancient festivities. The greatest success of this musical and poetic genre found in Italy and, especially, in Germany, where they were fond of the poets "Storm and onslaught", such as Franz Schiller. Composer Schubert also wrote a song on the pathos of this style. And Friedrich Nietzsche even tried to create something like the original "bacchic" dithyrambs, albeit with a satirical tinge.

The modern meaning of phraseology

The original meaning of this word has been incarnated from time to time by some modern musicians, such as Igor Stravinsky. However, in most cases, these words acquired a pronounced sarcastic meaning: "Perhaps I will still sing you praises?" This phraseology began to mean immoderate and inappropriate praise, undisguised flattery. In a sense, this is understandable, because this literary-musical genre was intended for ecstatic praise of the gods. And when, with the light hand of the Renaissance, they began to be used to praise politicians and generally those in power, he easily became something unpleasantly pretentious and far-fetched. After all, it is said in the Scriptures that one should be given to God, and "Caesar" - another. And when politicians, stars and different beau monde sing praises, relying on heavenly creatures, is this not an overt bust? Or maybe even blasphemy. Therefore, most people do not take praise or despise them as outright flattery. Moreover, it is usually used, in order to please the right person and get their share of the benefits.