Crotalum
Ancient clapper used in religious dances and attributed to Sicilians.
The crotalum was a clapper or castanet used in religious dances, notably by the Korybantes in ancient Greece. Its invention is attributed to the Sicilians by Clement of Alexandria, who forbade its use by Christians due to the accompanying motions. The instrument is considered exceedingly ancient, as Pausanias relates that Heracles drove away the Stymphalian birds by playing crotala.
Quick Facts
- Also known as
- κρόταλον (krotalon)
- Type
- Clapper or castanet
- Attributed inventor
- Sicilians
- Associated groups
- Korybantes
- Players called
- crotalistriae
Facts from the source article.
More in Culture of Ancient Rome
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