Cithara of the Golden Age (9 strings) with cedar wood


Available on backorder


This a “Cithara of the Golden Age Collector’s edition”, an advanced string instrument invented by the Ancient Greeks able to produce vibrato and tremolo effects while it is played.

The “Cithara of the Golden Age” (Greek: κιθάρα, kithāra, Latin: cithara) was an advanced relative of the more popular lyre. As opposed to the simpler lyre, which was a folk-instrument, the cithara was primarily used by professional musicians, called kitharodes.

Most vase paintings show cithara with seven strings, in agreement with ancient authors, but these also mention that occasionally a skillful kitharode would use more than the conventional seven strings.

The cithara was played primarily to accompany dances and epic recitations, rhapsodies, odes, and lyric songs. It was also played solo at the receptions, banquets, national games, and trials of skill. It is considered to be an invention of Terpander. Aristotle said that these string instruments were not for educational purposes but for pleasure only.

The cithara was the virtuoso’s instrument, generally known as requiring a great deal of skill.

Manufactured at the premises of the ancient Europos (Northern Greece) by a family of musicians and luthiers, the “Cithara of the Golden Age Collector’s edition“ is made of (and only) natural materials available during the antiquity. This ancient artifact was evolved to become a modern music instrument ready to be used by both amateur and professional musicians (for example, a modern tuning method was chosen instead of the ancient hard-to-use one). For all the minor (but very important) alterations, latest technologies were used during the prototyping phase (such as 3d Scanning and 3d Modeling).

With Each Order You Will Receive

Lifetime guarantee

In the unlikely event of defects in materials or workmanship.

Tuning and maintenance guide


Instrument report


Superior strings

Every lyre handcrafted by Luthieros is shipped with premium sugar cane strings, produced to match the needs of our ancient-inspired musical instruments by the world-renowned string supplier “Aquila Corde Armoniche”. We choose sugar cane strings as a default due to their superior sound, brightness, and durability. Additionally, you can order premium gut strings, produced specifically for Luthieros musical instruments!


Worldwide delivery with package tracking at any given time.

40+ ancient melodies


Ancient lyre music album


A pack of extras

Including a wooden plectrum and a unique hand-strap (in Greek: “τελαμών”), along with extra small gifts to say "thank you" for making our family's dream possible!


Cithara of the Golden Age has 9 strings. The soundbox, the arm, the tailpiece, the crossbar, the advanced spring mechanism, the tuning keys, the plectrum, and the bridge are made of wood. The Cithara’s height is 80-90 cm with 40-50 cm width, while its soundbox dimensions are approximately 45 x 45 x 9 cm. What’s more, Luthieros’ “Cithara of the Golden Age Collector’s edition” comes with a simple but very effective system for adjusting the “flexibility” of the upper part (crossbar) and therefore the level of the vibrato effect!

We use only top quality kinds of wood, ideal for musical instruments, such as walnut, cherry, mahogany, mulberry, maple, ebony, etc. In this particular one of a kind piece, we used cedarwood for its soundboard, adding a natural resonance to its sound and extra clarity on its high frequencies.

Additional information


Golden Age of Greece (Classical Period), 5th and 4th centuries B.C.

Lyre's type


Number of strings



cedar wood, ebony, bronze

Lyre's dimensions

80-90 x 40-50 x 9 cm

Soundbox's dimensions

45 x 45 x 9 cm

Minor alterations
















Add a premium case for your instrument

This is a must-have for your musical instrument. These are top-quality handcrafted wooden cases that will protect your musical instrument against any (small or moderate) impact and humidity.

Designed specifically for each instrument


Multi-purpose protection


Ready to Own Something Truly Unique?

Cithara of the Golden Age (9 strings) with cedar wood


Available on backorder


8 Ancient Melodies for free!



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