The Seikilos Epitaph, inscribed around 200 BC, is recognized as the oldest complete surviving musical composition with notation from ancient Greece. This epitaph, found on a stele, not only provides insight into the musical practices of the time but also reflects the cultural values and emotions of the era. Its preservation allows modern audiences to appreciate the rich history of music and its significance in ancient societies.

The Seikilos Epitaph, inscribed around 200 BC, preserved early examples of notated melody, influencing later poetic and lyrical traditions in Western literature, with echoes found in the works of poets like Catullus and Horace, who drew on its themes of love and mortality.