(), the author of a treatise in
three books on music (Περὶ Μουσικῆς). Nothing is known
of his history, nor is he mentioned by any ancient writer. But he must have lived after
Cicero, whom he quotes (p. 70), and before Martianus Capella, who has made use of this
treatise in his work De Nuptiis Philologiae et Mercurii, lib. 9. It seems
probable also that he must be placed before Ptolemy, since he does not mention the difference
between that writer and his predecessors with respect to the number of the modes. (Aristoxenus
reckoned 13, his followers 15, but Ptolemy only 7. See Aristeid. pp. 22, 23; Ptol. Harm. 2.9.)
Works
On Music
The work of Aristeides is perhaps the most valuable of all the ancient musical treatises.
It embraces, besides the theory of music (ἁρμονική) in
the modern sense, the whole range of subjects comprehended under μουσική, which latter science contemplated not merely the regulation of sounds,
but the harmonious disposition of everything in nature. The first book treats of Harmonics and Rhythm; the former subject being
considered under the usual heads of Sounds, Intervals, Systems, Genera, Modes, Transition,
and Composition (μελοποιΐα). The second, of the moral
effects and educational powers of music; and the third of the numerical ratios which define
musical intervals, and of their connexion with physical and moral science generally.
Περὶ Ποιητικῆς
Aristeides refers (p. 87) to another work of his own, Περὶ
Ποιητικῆς, which is lost. He makes no direct allusion to any of the ancient
writers on music, except Aristoxenus.
Editions
The only edition of Aristeides is that of Meibomius. It is printed, along with the
latter part of the 9th book of Martianus Capella, in his collection entitled Antiquae
Musicae Auctores Septem, Amst. 1652.A new edition of all these, and of several other ancient musical writers, is announced
by Dr. J. Franzius of Berlin. (Fabric. Bibl. Graec. vol. ii. p.
259.)