Marsyas
mythological figure · 7 works · 7 mentions · 8 anchored passages
Marsyas the Silenus · our Marsyas · our satyr
in the texts
De legendis gentilium libris
Mythological satyr-musician invoked as a distraction contrary to proper athletic training.
But if they had busied themselves with the strains of Marsyas or of Olympus the Phrygian, leaving the dust and the gymnasiums, would they soon have won crowns or glory, or escaped being a laughing-stock in body?
Stromata
Phrygian musician credited with inventing several musical harmonies.
as also that Marsyas, of the same country as those just named, found the Phrygian, the mixophrygian, and the mixolydian harmonies;
for Olympus and Marsyas were Phrygians.
Orations
Mythical musician (satyr) associated with the flute.
For Sardanapallus would never have been roused from his chamber and from among his women, not only not by a Timotheus or any other of the younger musicians, but not even by Marsyas himself or Olympus;
The Histories
Mythical satyr (Silenus) said in Phrygian tradition to have been flayed by Apollo, whose skin was displayed at Celaenae.
The skin of Marsyas the Silenus also hangs there;
Republic
Satyr associated with the flute, contrasted unfavorably with Apollo's lyre in the discussion of instruments.
We are not innovating, my friend, in preferring Apollo and the instruments of Apollo to Marsyas and his instruments.
Symposium
Mythical satyr and flute-player who taught Olympus and was known for entrancing music
Such then is the effect that our satyr can work upon me and many another with his piping;
And I further suggest that he resembles the satyr Marsyas.