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
