Before proceeding to determine the meaning of the term proem, it is necessary that we discover its etymological origin. In this sense, we can affirm that it derives from Greek, specifically from the word “prooimion”, which can be translated as “prologue” and is made up of two different parts:
-The prefix “pro-”, which is equivalent to “before”.
-The word “oime”, which means “recited” or “poem”.
This is a term that is often mentioned as equivalent to prologue : it refers, therefore, to the text that precedes the beginning of a work. The proem is placed before the body of a certain work and serves as an introduction, although it is not part of the work itself.
The proem can be associated with a preamble , an exordium or a prelude , according to the context. Its characteristics, therefore, vary depending on the type of work. In literature , it is considered that the proem serves to introduce the theme that will be discussed in the following pages.
On a musical level, the concept of proem was used in ancient times to name the song that preceded the interpretation of certain instrumentalists. Religious songs were also called proem.
Specifically, it must be stated that in Antiquity this type of composition gave rise to the creation of its own genre and different artists specialized in it. This would be the case, for example, of Terprando. Lesbos was where this Greek poet and musician was born, in the 7th century BC, who has gone down in history due to different circumstances.
We can establish that he is recognized as an important author of proems but also for having founded the so-called cytaredic school. Not to mention that there is also a legend surrounding his figure that says that, after receiving orders from the so-called Oracle of Delphi, he managed to pacify the conflicts that existed in Sparta simply through music.
In general, it can be said that the proem seeks to guide the public. The creator of the work clarifies or explains its creation and lays the foundations for its reception.
One of the most significant proems in history is the one known as the Proem of Parmenides. This is a text of which 32 verses have been preserved, which is responsible for starting the work “On Nature”, of an epic nature. That one is symbolic in nature and reviews mortal life, the gods, vital journeys...
For law , the proem is what is included at the beginning of a contract to establish its legal nature . Through the proem, it is mentioned who is entering into the contract, details how they will be named next, etc. The proem, in short, indicates who the parties involved in the contract are, indicates the place and date where the agreement is signed and qualifies the content of the legal instrument.