Song in the Ancient World: Echoes of Religion and Resistance | Matthew Gordley

Lecture by Matthew Gordley examining the significance of song in the ancient world, particularly its connections to religion and resistance movements. The presentation focuses on surviving textual evidence from the period, including literature, embedded songs, hymns, and psalms, which illustrate a world where human and divine realms were deeply interconnected through musical expression. Although the original melodies are lost, the texts provide insight into the imaginal world of ancient societies.

Greco-Roman antiquity demonstrates how songs from earlier eras were utilized by subsequent generations to interpret their contemporary realities and the perceived divine support for rulers. Furthermore, early Jewish and Christian psalms and hymns reveal sophisticated methods of adapting traditional themes to address the evolving religious and political needs of their respective communities. The lecture explores this treasury of ancient religious song and its functional role within the communities that preserved these works.