The
tuba of ancient Rome is a military signal trumpet, quite different from the
modern tuba. The
tuba (from
Latin tubus, "tube") was produced around 500 BC. Its shape was straight, in contrast to the military
buccina or
cornu, which was more like the modern
sousaphone in curving around the body. Its origin is thought to be
Etruscan, and it is similar to the Greek
salpinx. About four feet in length, it was made usually of bronze, and was played with a detachable
mouthpiece.