The kithara, also known as the cithara, was a prominent ancient Greek musical instrument belonging to the yoke lute family. It functioned as a professional, seven-stringed counterpart to the simpler lyre, which was typically reserved for beginners or folk performances.
Professional musicians who played the kithara were known as kitharodes. The instrument held a high status in ancient musical culture, distinct from the rustic associations of the lyre. The legacy of the kithara persists in modern language, as the word guitar is etymologically derived from this ancient instrument.