Cults and Ritual Flashcards
What was the cult held on an island called?
Samothrace
How did they ensure the privacy of their initiates in Samothrace
By having rituals take place in a valley
Was Samothrace panhelenic?
Yes, people would come internationally to take part in events.
What would happen before the Elusinian mysteries took place.
Before the festival the ‘Eumolpidae’ and ‘Ceryces’ proclaim a sacred truce throughout the Greek world to ensure safety of initiates for 55 days as they travel to and from Eleusis.
Who were the two families associated with the mysteries?
‘Eumolpidae’ and ‘Ceryces’
What was the role of the ‘Eumolpidae’?
Hierophant (priesthood) they were in charge of rituals
What was the role of the ‘Ceryces’
Dadouchos (torchbearer) they were the second most important priests
What is the backstory of the laurel leaves eaten by the Pythia at Delphi?
The laurel leaves (that are eaten by the oracle to enhance the effect) are a symbol of Apollo, according to myth this is because Apollo was in love with the river nymph Daphne who rejected him. When Apollo continued to persue her she prayed to be rescued from him, at which point she turned into a laurel tree.
Why is the oracle at Delphi called the ‘pythia’?
The oracle is called the ‘Pythia’ because of the myth where Apollo kills a serpent called ‘python’, known as one of the most fearsome creatures in mythology. The pythons original purpose was to protect Gaia (the earth deity) at Delphi however Apollo was unhappy with its presence at Delphi so he killed it with a single arrow.
Where would the oracle sit at Delphi?
In the ‘Adyton’ (just means a sacred room) in the temple of Apollo. This was built directly on top of a natural gas leak caused by fault lines meeting.
What was an important oath taken by the members of the Amphictyonic league that presided over the site of Delphi?
A key oath of the league is that you cannot fully wipe out another member of the league if you go to war.
