The viol is not the ancestor of the violin. They are two completely different instruments, with different playing techniques and tone qualities, and were used for different purposes. The viol was invented, or probably developed from earlier instruments, in Italy around 1510. The violin was invented, in the same area, as a new idea around 1530. They lived happily, side by side, for 200 years. From the very beginning, both viols and violins were made in several sizes, to facilitate consort playing.