The objective is to examine the historical development of religious music and rituals in ancient societies; to evaluate the role of music within the belief systems, religious institutions, and social life of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia, Greece, and Rome; and to enable students to compare the religious musical traditions of different cultures based on historical sources, as well as to critically interpret the processes of cultural interaction, continuity, and change.

This study examines the historical sources and research challenges concerning religious music in antiquity. It covers temple culture, hymns, and lamentations in Mesopotamia; the cults of deities, as well as the role of music in temple and funerary rites, in ancient Egypt; and festivals, offerings, and musical rituals among the Hittites and other ancient Anatolian societies. It further explores hymns, choral performances, and religious festivities in the ancient Greek world, as well as public cults, ceremonies, and the status of musicians during the Roman period. The social standing of religious performers, the ceremonial use of musical instruments, the relationship between religious authority and music, and cross-cultural encounters are also evaluated. Finally, the text addresses the impact of religious transformations on musical traditions during late antiquity, along with debates surrounding continuity in historical scholarship.