the word “violin” and the word “viol” come from the same word. the violin was not made directly from the instruments called viols. the word "violin" comes from the middle latin word "vitula". it means "stringed instrument". this word is also believed to be the source of the germanic “fiddle”. the modern european violin changed over time from many different bowed stringed instruments. they were brought from the middle east and the byzantine empire. most likely, the first makers of violins took ideas from three kinds of current instruments. they are the rebec, in use since the 10th century, the renaissance fiddle, and the "lira da braccio." these instruments were held under the chin and bowed.