Class 3: The History Of Death Flashcards
What is the “Yoke of Death”?
A threat from the Mesopotamia time, essentially do as I want or death could become you
What did the textbook say about having children and the afterlife in Mesopotamian time?
Having as many children as possible gives you a better standing in the underworld. Legacy plays a big role here.
What was the purpose of humans in Ancient Egypt?
To enact worship to please the gods
What was the view of the afterlife in Ancient Egypt?
To make sure we are sustaining all the pharaohs and keeping the stars in the sky (past pharaohs).
Who is Ra, Ka, and Ba?
Ra is the sun god
Ka is the spirit that travels to the afterlife
Ba is the spirit that stays with the body
What is mummification and how is it done?
Mummification was developed to preserve the body for the afterlife.
All organs are removed from the body, except for the heart or another organ. It is covered in salt to suck out the moisture, resin and wrapped in cloth.
What is the story of Osiris?
Murdered by his brother and dismembered. His wife put him back together except his penis which she threw in the river Nile. He then resurrected and became god of the underworld. His penis made the river fertile.
What was judgement like in Ancient Egypt?
A scale had a heart on one side and a feather on the other. If the heart is lighter, you are morally just. If the heart is heavier, you are evil and you are eaten by the crocodile-headed god Attim (second death).
What was the afterlife like in Greco-Roman time?
You entered the realm of the dead, which is ruled by Hades. Judgement occurred here in terms of psyche’s punishment. Funeral rites were mandatory for the passage of the psyche into the realm
What was the purpose of humans in Greco-Roman time?
To collect knowledge, leading you to live eternally
What are the 3 parts of the soul?
Psyche: individual human personality
Thymos: Consciousness, feeling
Noos: intelligence, action
What are the 3 common themes between these?
- A soul/spirit lives on after death. It then travels to a new place (elevated/demoted)
- The soul/spirit is judged based on beliefs/actions/knowledge during physical life
- Based on this judgement, the soul/spirit gains passage to new “life” (punished OR resurrected)
What is the purpose of humans in Mesopotamia?
To serve the gods
What was the view of the afterlife in Mesopotamia?
The afterlife was viewed as dark and nihilistic
