The kithara was an ancient Greek musical instrument. It was a seven-stringed lyre with a deep, wooden sounding box . As opposed to the simpler lyra, it was primarily an instrument of professionals (see citharode).

The kithara was the ancestor of several modern instruments, including the guitar, sitar and zither all of which derive their name from the word kithara.

See also:

• phorminx
• aulos