Musical Memory on Delos

Plutarch’s 'Lives' demonstrates that literary texts can transcend the limitations of both archival artifacts and performance practices as vehicles for cultural memory. By analyzing Theseus’ visit to Delos, where mythic narratives are commemorated through object dedications and choral dances, Plutarch critiques the durability and efficacy of these forms while positioning his own writing as a more encompassing medium. This challenges modern distinctions between 'archive' (historical artifacts) and 'repertoire' (performance), revealing how ancient texts grapple with similar theoretical problems in innovative ways.

Olsen, S. (2021). Musical Memory on Delos. Music and Memory in the Ancient Greek and Roman Worlds, 65–80. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108917858.003