Music Of Power By Jill Mattson

The priorities of the Roman civilization were not the same as the Greeks. Definitely NOT! The Romans were practical people. They were farmers and warriors - not lovers of art as the Greeks were. Their first temples were to Mars, the War God. Music was never a part of education for the young.

They had a desire for colossal effects as we see in the Roman games. Seneca says that in Nero's time the chorus was larger than the spectators. At the games there were also flanks of trumpeters and flutists, much like today's sports games with the band sitting on the bleachers.

One can understand the role of music in the Roman society by observing the Roman victory parades for warriors. Trumpeters and singers chanted triumphal songs. Members of the Senate and Magistrates followed. Animals (usually oxen) for sacrifice, with garlands in their horns and accompanying priests, plodded behind. The musicians and flute players followed this group to assist with the sacrifice.

Wagons with spoils from the captives were included. Tribute from foreign countries followed next. The captives' kings, leaders and their wives were chained and followed, awaiting their death. Musicians dressed as satyrs, crowned in gold, danced and added cruel jesting. Mimics, men dressed as women, made fun of the captors with gestures and insults.

People in the parade spread perfume on the crowd. Four white horses or sometimes elephants pulled a flamboyant chariot carrying the general. He dressed in purple, wore a garland on his head and his face was painted orange. His friends and family followed, dressed in white. A slave, carrying a richly gemmed crown, followed the general; it was his duty to admonish the general by whispering in his ear that he was only a man.

The entire army wearing laurels followed this and sporting captured booty. The army sang and praised the general; sometimes they sang course and vulgar jokes aimed at their general. Buildings along the route were decorated. Banquets awaited the spectators. When they arrived at the Temple of Jupiter, the captives and oxen were killed, entertaining of the crowd. After the parade musicians escorted the general home, still singing his praises.

Rome was cruel even in her rejoicing. This coarse use of music included loud trumpets, a vile musical pantomime encouraging the crowd to jeer at captors before their death, sacrificial music for the killing of animals and opposing warriors. The rude songs of the army illustrated how music was used to glorify victory, power and brutality.

The primary use of music in Rome was to instill courage and fortitude in battle. Brass instruments such as the tuba, buccina and some double pipes were among their battle instruments.

About Jill Mattson: My personal interests in Sound Healing, helping people and expanding consciousness were the result of my lifelong love affair with music, coupled with my personal spiritual quest, which I started in earnest about 40 years ago. I was drawn to the study of antiquity; specifically, I extensively examined methods employing Sound Healing and music to alter and improve mind, body, emotions, energy and spiritual aspects of practitioners’ lives. I collected voluminous materials on Sound Healing over many years. This prompted me to write my first book on the field of Sound Healing where I interview leading researchers and scientists in the discipline. Concurrent with my research, I began producing my own Sound Healing recordings. In the early 2000’s I built a studio in my home to record my own compositions. I blend my original music with ancient techniques and embed special sounds in the tracks. The end result is pleasing and beneficial on multiple levels. Many people enjoy the music as a normal listening experience; more significantly, other people have been able to reach new levels of consciousness, peace and wellness by focused listening to my compositions.  
 

The field of Sound Healing is a rapidly growing discipline that is attracting great interest. As indicated above, many of the techniques that are employed stem from ancient traditions. There is also cutting-edge research underway, which is expanding the understanding and promise of this field. My personal specialty in Sound Healing utilizes the intricate combination and interplay of numerous musical effects along with specific frequencies. It is the magical and complex interaction of special healing sounds with the human body and mind that give the impressive results that can be achieved with Sound Healing.

 

Jill's website: https://www.jillswingsoflight.com/