The myth of the musical contest between Apollo and Marsyas, which is not mentioned in literary sources before the 5th century BC, became especially widespread in the late classical age and became emblematic for the development of professionalism and musical virtuosity in this period.
Through a gallery of images and literary references, this virtual exhibition traces the stages that document the transformations in Greek musical culture from the Archaic Age to the 4th century BC. The virtual exhibition has been edited by Susanna Sarti (Direzione regionale musei della Toscana), Paola Dolcetti (Università di Torino), and Eleonora Rocconi (Università di Pavia).