Lituus
Top
(′lich·ə·wəs)
(mathematics) The trumpet-shaped plane curve whose points in polar coordinates (r, θ) satisfy the equation r2 = a/θ.
Top
A Roman brass instrument consisting of a long tube turning in upon itself at the end, in the shape of a ‘J’. It was used for military and ceremonial, especially funereal, occasions. Bach used the term for a type of horn in Cantata no.118, a funeral motet.
Random House Word Menu:
Top
categories related to 'lituus'
- Wind Instruments - lituus: curved military trumpet (ancient Rome)
Wikipedia on Answers.com:
Top
Lituus
For a mathematical function, see Lituus (mathematics).
The word lituus originally meant a curved augural staff (cp. "crozier") or a curved war-trumpet in the ancient Latin language. In English it is used with several meanings.
|
Contents
|
Roman ritual wand
The lituus was a crooked wand (similar in shape to the top part of a crosier) used as a cult instrument in ancient Roman religion by augurs to mark out a ritual space in the sky (a templum). The passage of birds through this templum indicated divine favor or disfavor for a given undertaking.
The lituus was also used as a symbol of office for the college of the augurs to mark them out as a priestly group.
Music instrument
Ancient lituus
The ancient lituus was an old Etruscan high-pitched brass instrument, which was bent at the end, similar to the Gallic carnyx. It was later used by the Romans, especially for processional music and as a signalling horn in the army.[1] In 17th century Germany a variant of the bent ancient lituus was still used as a signalling horn by nightwatchmen.
Mediaeval lituus
Main article: Medieval lituus
The mediaeval lituus was a different brass instrument than the ancient Etruscan instrument, described by Kürzinger (1763) as a variant of the early trumpet or horn, i.e. a later development of the ancient Roman tuba. One of the last compositions orchestrated for the mediaeval lituus was Bach's motet O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht (BWV 118). Scientists from Edinburgh University tried to recreate the lituus in May 2009, when the instrument had been out of use for 300 years.[2][3]
References
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Lituus |
 |
Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Lituus. |
- ^ Picture of reconstructed Roman lituus.
- ^ Pallab Ghosh (30 May 2009). "'Lost' music instrument recreated". BBC News. BBC. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8075223.stm. Retrieved 30 May 2009.
- ^ Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) (01 June 2009). "Scientists recreate Bachs forgotten horn". EPSRCvideo. YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5aHfVk_71c. Retrieved 01 June 2009.
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
Post a question - any question - to the WikiAnswers community:
Copyrights:
McGraw-Hill Science & Technology Dictionary
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms. Copyright © 2003, 1994, 1989, 1984, 1978, 1976, 1974 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Read more
Oxford Grove Music Encyclopedia
The Concise Grove Dictionary of Music. Copyright © 1994 by Oxford University Press, Inc.. All rights reserved.
Read more
Random House Word Menu
© 2010 Write Brothers Inc. Word Menu is a registered trademark of the Estate of Stephen Glazier.
Write Brothers Inc.
All rights reserved.
Read more
