death and burial Flashcards
preparation and burial of the body in Greece and Rome, Greek and Roman festivals for the dead (Anthesteria, Genesia, Lemuria and Parentalia)
how do greeks prepare the body for the prothesis after the person just died
closed eyes and mouth; washed the body; perfumed it; put a coin in mouth; covered in shroud
what is the prothesis
greek, when body is laid out in the house so family and friends come to pay their respects
how long did the greek prothesis last
2 days
what is ekphora
greek, the funeral procession after prothesis, from house to burial ground on the dawn of the 3rd day
how would women lament
tear their hair, beat their chests, wail, flail their arms
where did the greeks bury their bodies and why
outside the city to:
- prevent religious pollution
- stop spread of disease
what is stele
stone slab that greeks used as tombstones (if they could afford it)
why did families add burial gifts
to help the deceased on their journey to the Underworld
why did they place a coin in the deceased’s mouth
to pay the charon, the ferryman which crossed the Styx river to hades
why was it important for the greeks to look after their ancestor’s graves
to maintain respect and not damage the memory of the deceased
what was abnormal about a greek sacrifice during a funeral
the blood of the animal was poured onto the ground instead of the altar
how long did the greek period of mourning last
30 days
what days were graves visited by greeks
on the 3rd, 9th and 13th days after burial (ekphora)
greek festivals for the dead
anthesteria and genesia
what happened in the anthesteria
drinking contests; families pour libations onto graves of ancestors and as sacrifices to dionysus; offer food to hermes
when and how long did the anthesteria last
3 days in late january
what did the anthesteria celebrate
dionysus, maturing of wine
when and how long did the genesia last
1 day in late september
who did the genesia honour
dead ancestors
what did greeks do in thegenesia
decorate ancestor’s graves with ribbons and offer them food sacrifices
where were romans buried and why
outside the city on main roads to show off tombstones (wealth)
what were roman funeral clubs
clubs where you paid a monthly fee and attnede gatherings, when you died the club paid for your funeral. used by poorer romans
how was roman preparation of the body different to greeks
when person is dying, you inhale thier last breath with a kiss, then shout their name (then wash and perfume as usual)
how long was the body placed in the atrium by romans (prothesis)
8 days
what would the romans make when the deceased is in the atrium
a wax mask/mould of their face
when would romans wear the wax masks of their ancestors
during the funeral of another family member, so symbolise the acceptance of the deceased into the underworld by their ancestors
how did romans commemorate their dead family members (if they could afford it)
create marble busts of them
what were the roman festivals of the dead
parentalia and lemuria
how long did the parentalia last and when
9 days from 13-21st February
who did the parentalia honour
deceased ancestors
what was closed during the parentalia and lemuria
temples, businesses, no marriages happened (everything was closed)
what happened on day 1 of parentalia
sacrifice made by vestal virgins
what happened on days 1-8 of parentalia
families take offerings to tombs of ancestors, including:
garlands, violets, wine-soaked bread and salt
what happened on day 9 of parentalia
family gathers to share a meal
what other festival happened during the parentalia
lupercalia
how long did the lemuria last and when
3 days on 9th, 11th and 13th MAy
what was the lemuria created for
to ward off evil spirits
how did romans warn off evil spirits during the lemuria
-make sign of thumb and closed fingers
-throw black beans over shoulder and shout “with these beans I redeem myself and my family” 9 times
-hit bronze to make a sound and tell spirits to leave
