Attic Nights of Aulus Gellius

the delicacies of banquets. 8. But indeed, Homer says that the Achaeans joined battle not with the concert of lutes and flutes, but striving with the silent conspiracy of their minds and spirits:

But the Achaeans went in silence, breathing might,
In their hearts eager to assist one another. original: "Οἱ δ' ἄρ' ἴσαν σιγῇ μένεα πνείοντες Ἀχαιοί, Ἐν θυμῷ μεμαῶτες ἀλεξέμεν ἀλλήλοισιν."

9. What does that most ardent shouting of the Roman soldiers mean, which the writers of annals have remembered was accustomed to happen in the meetings of battles? Was it done contrary to the institution of ancient discipline that was so commendable? Or is there need for a calm pace and silence even then, when one goes toward an enemy who is standing far off in the distance? When one has truly come to close quarters, then the enemy is to be driven back by force and terrified by shouting? 10. Behold, however, through the Laconian flute-playing, the flute of that oratorical kind also comes to mind, which they say C. Gracchus had, which led and provided the measures for him while he was dealing with the people. 11. But it is not at all as it is said by the crowd, that a flute-player was accustomed to play who stood behind him while he spoke, and in various ways now soothed his spirit and action, and now intensified them. 12. For what would be more foolish than that, if, as for a pantomime dancer, so for Gracchus giving a speech, a flute-player should play rhythms and modes and certain varied ornaments? 13. But those who have handed this down more accurately to memory say that someone stood hidden among the bystanders, who would blow a sound that was gradually quite deep from a short pipe to repress and settle the impetuousness of his voice. 14. For the natural vehemence of Gracchus, when it was boiling over with an external impulse and instinct, is not, I think, to be considered to have been lacking in dignity. 15. Marcus Cicero, however, thinks that this flute-player was applied to both things by Gracchus, so that with sounds now placid and now rapid he might either raise his low and languid speech, or restrain it when it was becoming fierce and savage. 16. I have placed the words of Cicero himself: And so that same Gracchus, as you can hear, Catulus, from your client Licinius, a learned man whom he had as a servant at hand, was accustomed to have an ivory