death and burial Flashcards
why was a coin put in the mouth of the deceased?
to pay the ferryman, Charon, to take the soul across to the underworld
what was prosthesis
during the preparation of the body in the Greek world, the deceased would be laid out for 2 days to receive mourners
what was the ekphora
funerary procession in greece
what was lamenting
a passionate expression of grief or sorrow
what was the Kerameikos
an area in Athens that included the main burial ground outside the city
what was a sacrifice (funeral)
after burial or cremation. an offering to Hades/Persephone
what was the mourning period
30 days. family visit deceased on day 3, 9 and 13
death:
- important issue to the Greeks
- important dead were treated with respect
- important everyone received a proper burial
greek from death to burial:
- last breath captured with a kiss
- once person had died, eyes and mouth were closed
- body was washed, perfumed and wrapped in a long, white shroud
- coin placed in mouth
- cremated or buried outside city
lament:
- women would cut their hair, dress in shabby black clothing and wait beside the deceased while beating their chest and flailing their arms
why was it vital the final resting place was outside the city?
- remove chance of religious pollution
- reduce spread of disease
prosthesis:
- lasted 2 days
- gave family time to mourn
- bowl of water was left so people could wash themselves after they left as death would pollute the house
ekphora:
- before dawn on 3rd day
- funeral procession from house of deceased to burial ground
- poorer people used wagons
- richer people used pullbearers
grave stelai:
if grave steles were left to become overgrown or damaged, the memory of that person would be damaged
what was a stele? what was the point of it?
- stone slabs often with patterns or images carved on them
- mostly used a tombstones
- depends on wealth of family
when did the Anthesteria take place?
late January
how long was the Anthesteria
3 days
what god is associated with the Anthesteria
Dionysus
