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Alcmanic verse

Meter
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

An ancient Greek meter blending dactylic and trochaic rhythms, named after the poet Alcman and used in choral lyric poetry.

Detailed Definition
Alcmanic verse denotes poetry composed in meters derived from Alcman, particularly the Alcmanic strophe—a couplet of dactylic hexameter followed by dactylic tetrameter catalectic—used in choral lyrics and adapted by Roman poets for hymnal or celebratory contexts.
Example
Example in poetry:
Alcmanic verse uses the glyconic meter (˘ ˘ ¯ ˘ ¯ ˘ ¯); an English approximation: “Under stars we dance and sing,” capturing the lyrical, hymn-like quality of Alcman’s choral poetry.
Additional Notes
Meter named for Alcman (7th century BCE), typically dactylic tetrameter catalectic. Used in Greek choral poetry. Related to dactylic hexameter but shorter. Creates marching or processional rhythm.
Also Known As
Alcman's meter Spartan verse Choral dactylic Greek choral meter Alcmanic
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