Written by Date: Tuesday 10 June 2025 at 8pm
Venue: Picture Gallery, Founders Building,
Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX
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Originally associated with philosophers and aristocratic citizens of Athens, the symposium was, in essence, a drinking party and considered an important social institution in ancient Greece. It was a relaxed, convivial gathering of men sharing views and ideas on a range of topics, accompanied by wine, music, dancing, reciting of poetry and games. The symposium often took place in a purpose-bult room called the andron which was usually large enough to accommodate several couches (klinai), on which those participating would recline. Vase paintings of symposia often show them enlivened by musicians and dancers, commonly depicting a musical instrument called the aulos – played by a man or woman. The aulos consisted of two pipes, one for each hand, sounded with double reeds (like the oboe) and was both one of the most important and controversial musical instruments in the Classical world.
This event aims to re-imagine the ancient Greek symposium and the role of the aulos within it. Watered wine will be served and reconstructions of the aulos played, alongside dance, songs, spoken dialogues drawn from ancient Greek texts as well as the sort of games that were played at the symposium. The singers and dancers will be accompanied on the aulos and performers will feature leading international experts in the reconstruction of ancient Greek music, including Callum Armstrong, Stefan Hagel, Kamila Wyslucha, Olga Sutkowska and Stef Connor.
Organised by the departments of Music, Classics and Drama & Theatre at Royal Holloway, the event is sponsored by Humanities and Arts Research Institute (HARI), Music & Letters and the Institute of Classical Studies.
