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aulos

aulos

9.9
A musical instrument with two pipes that you play by blowing like an oboe
  • noun
  • /ˈɔːləs/
  • Archaic
translation icon : aulos
  • Instruments used were the likes of the Aulos, the Lyre, and the Khitara, to name but a few.
  • Aulos Ensemble

Examples

  • The ancient Greeks often played the aulos during religious ceremonies and public events.

  • Musicians in Athens used the aulos to accompany dance and theater performances.

  • In art, the aulos is frequently depicted being played by gods and heroes in ancient Greek sculptures.

Surface Forms

aulos singular
auli plural

Etymology

Aulos comes from the ancient Greek aulos, which meant 'pipe' or 'flute' and named a two‑pipe wind instrument similar to an oboe. So, to remember aulos, think 'pipe' and imagine the old Greek double pipes used in music and ceremonies.