This article is concerned with the theory of mimesis that had impact on the history of art from the antiquity to modem times. It tries to show its connection to the historical change of the poiesis concept, and purposes thus to approach a hitherto little known background of music history. Furthermore it seeks an answer to the question for which reason the theory of mimesis influenced the history of art for so long and so broad in the historical discussion on the legitimacy of art.
