Following the records of Theophylact Simocatta

• Main Authors: Đekić Đorđe, Pavlović Miloš
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts - Institute of Musicology of Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts 2018-01-01
• Series: Muzikologija
• Subjects: Slavs; Byzantines; Theophylact Simocatta; lyre; Avar song; battle trumpet; jinglebells; pipes
• Online Access: http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/1450-9814/2018/1450-98141824173D.pdf

The earliest record that testifies to the South Slavic music is the one left by the Byzantine chronicler Theophylact Simocatta in his History. It is said that in 592, the emperor Maurice captured three Slavic men near Enaton, who did not have any weapons on them, but had only musical instruments, most probably lyres. Some written sources also mention the horns. Implementing the knowledge obtained through etymological analyses and the extant ethnological practice, as well as archaeological artefacts, it may be said that the Slavs of the said period used jingle bells, flutes and bagpipes. The music, both instrumental and vocal, was common to religious as well as entertainment purposes.