Praetorius, Michael (1571-1621), a German composer of church music, became known also as a music historian. Praetorius wrote Syntagma Musicum (1615-1620), in which he named and described musical instruments known to the 1600's, and gave a historical account of church music of the period. His compositions include many motets, madrigals, dance pieces, and two books of hymns. Praetorius was born in Kreuzberg, Thuringia, Germany.