The Ancient Greek Roots of Southern Italian Music and Dances

The Ancient Greek Roots of Southern Italian Music and Dances

Greek culture has been prevalent in Southern Italy since the 7th century BCE. Photo of 4th century BCE red figure volute-crater found in Puglia. Credit: Ghettoniala Public Domain The musical tradition of the Italian Greek populations of Southern Italy remains strong to this day, as do the variations of the language that has been spoken since the 8th century BCE. The popular tarantella folk dance and the accompanying songs are part of a long trad…