Sambuca (Instrument)

A Sambuca (also Sambyke or Sambyx called ) was a stringed instrument which in ancient times was in use. Maybe it had taken the Greeks by the Phoenicians and gave it on to the Romans. According to legend, it should have been, however, invented by Ibycus. According to Athenaeus ( Deipnosoph. XIV, 34) at the Sambuca Parthians, Syrians and troglodytes in use was. The exact form of Sambuca is little known today. Thing is certain, that it was triangular and covered with four strings, which produced very bright tones. It is assumed that the Sambuca was a dulcimer or zither -like instrument that primarily of women ( so-called Sambucistriae ) was played as a musical accompaniment to the food.

Word relationships

Both the word sambuca, which the Romans used, as well as the Greek sambyke, in the language was a foreign word. Probably stems from the root word of an Asian language. Also as sambuca the Romans designated a siege tool that came with the naval combat, but also at the siege of fortresses, are used. It is believed that the name derives from the siege of the musical instrument, because both had a similar shape. In addition to the stringed instrument there was also a flute called Sambuca, whose name is derived from Elderberry (Sambucus ), from whose wood the flute was manufactured. Was therefore assumed that the stringed instrument also consisted of elder wood.