MUSIC.
"Now formerly, as I have said, they used to call this the
Æolian harmony, but afterwards they gave it the name of
the Sub-Dorian, thinking, as some people say, that it was
pitched lower on the flute than the Dorian. But it appears
to me that those who gave it this name, seeing its inflated
style, and the pretence to valour and virtue which was put
forth in the style of the harmony, thought it not exactly the
Dorian harmony, but to a certain extent like it: on which
account they called it [Greek: hypodôrion], just as they call what is
nearly white [Greek: hypoleukon]: and what is not absolutely sweet, but
something near it, we call [Greek: hypoglyky]; so, too, we call what is
not thoroughly Dorian [Greek: hypodôrion].
20. "Next in order let us consider the character of the Milesians, which the Ionians display, being very proud of the goodly appearance of their persons; and full of spirit, hard to be reconciled to their enemies, quarrelsome, displaying no philanthropic or cheerful qualities, but rather a want of affection and friendship, and a great moroseness of disposition: on which account the Ionian style of harmony also is not flowery nor mirthful, but austere and harsh, and having a sort of gravity in it, which, however, is not ignoble-looking; on which account that tragedy has a sort of affection for that harmony. But the manners of the Ionians of the present day are more luxurious, and the character of their present music is very far removed from the Ionian harmony we have been speaking of. And men say that Pythermus the Teian wrote songs such as are called Scolia in this kind of harmony; and that it was because he was an Ionian poet that the harmony got the name of Ionian. This is that Pythermus whom Ananius or Hipponax mentions in his Iambics in this way:—
Pythermus speaks of gold as though all else were nought.
And Pythermus's own words are as follows:—
All other things but gold are good for nothing.
Therefore, according to this statement, it is probable that Pythermus, as coming from those parts, adapted the character of his melodies to the disposition of the Ionians; on which account I suppose that his was not actually the Ionian harmony, but that it was a harmony adapted in some admirable manner to the purpose required. And those are contemptible
