Death + Burial: GREEK Flashcards
What happened once a greek died?
Body washed + perfumed, wrapped in long white shroud, coin placed on mouth.
Why was a coin placed on the mouth?
As a payment to Charon, the boatmen who ferried the dead from the living land to the land of the dead.
What was the prothesis in greek burials?
When the body was laid out for two days to receive mourners.
During the prothesis why was a bowl of water laid out?
Because death would ‘fill the house’ so the bowl of water was to wash people as they left.
What is a lament and who would do it?
Women of the household would lament. Lamenting is a passionate expression of grief and sorrow.
How did one lament?
They would cut their hair, dress in shabby black clothing and wail beside the deceased beating their chest and flailing their arms.
GREEK: what was the Elephora and when did it take place?
Before dawn on the third day the procession took place - taking the body from the home to the burial place.
How were the bodies carried?
Wagon or pallbearers.
Who took part in the procession?
Men, women and children of the family with an aulos player.
Why were burials outside the city?
So no religious pollution or diseases could reach the city.
What was the main Greek burial ground and where was it?
Keraneikos - outside the north west walls of Athens.
What happened when a body reached the burial ground?
It was either buried or cremated.
What happened during a cremation?
A pyre would be built, body on top. Then it would be lit.
what happened after a cremation?
The ash would be collected in an urn and given to the family to be placed in a shrine or grave, along with gifts.
What kind of gifts would the family give the body?
Food for the journey or other important gifts for their deceased life.
