Definitions

Question 1

Hybridity

Answer 1

The assimilation of cultural/practices of one minor civilization that has been absorbed into a major, often conquering civilization.

Question 1

Syncretism

Answer 1

The amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought

Question 2

Ba

Answer 2

The Egyptian concept of the inner-soul

Question 3

Hermeticism

Answer 3

Heresy believing that God is not a being, but a life force (comparable to the force in starwars)

Question 3

Henotheism

Answer 3

• Believing in an individual god in a primordial manner, however, accepting and recognizing other deities existence and power at the same time
• You see one deity as being your preferred choice for support and help, but still acknowledge head gods as supreme

Question 4

Evolutionary Monotheism

Answer 4

Monotheism, evolving directly from a polytheistic society

Question 5

Revolutionary Monotheism

Answer 5

Monotheism NOT evolving gradually from a polytheistic base, but rather, through a single instance of imposition, often by a specific ruler

Question 6

Phyles

Answer 6

Egyptian priesthood groups

Question 7

Thesmophoria

Answer 7

All women’s festival in Athens

Question 8

Collegia

Answer 8

Roman fraternal clubs, both religious and lay

Question 9

Asherah

Answer 9

The Near Eastern Goddess that was the only female goddess worshipped by the early Hebrews

Question 10

Scapegoating

Answer 10

• Ancient Israelite practice for community purification by sacrificing a goat to compensate for the sins of the entire community

Question 11

YHWH

Answer 11

• The Hebrew name of the god of the ancient Israelites

Question 12

Bothroi

Answer 12

• Greek votive offering storage pits

Question 13

Votum

Answer 13

• A typical format of a Roman vow, in which, in a purely transactional manner, one pledges favours to the god ONLY if their wishes are met.

Question 14

Logos

Answer 14

• Spoken word accompanying a ritual

Question 15

Praxis

Answer 15

• The physical act of performing a ritual

Question 16

Heka

Answer 16

• The Ancient Egyptian concept of a magical power that maintains the world and mankind

Question 17

Asipu

Answer 17

• Mesopotamian exorcist priests who visited terminally ill patients to determine how close they were to death

Question 18

Suilla

Answer 18

• Standard type of Mesopotamian prayer

1. Address god by full name
2. Lament struggles
3. Vow to repay the favour

Question 19

Incantations

Answer 19

• A prayer or spell that protects one against evil spirits and harm

Question 20

Yasna

Answer 20

• The main Zoroastrian principle of the act of worship
• Also the name for the Zoroastrian religious text

Question 21

Gatha

Answer 21

• A set of hymns written by Zoroaster
• They form the basis of the Yasna

Question 22

Bullae

Answer 22

• Magically and spiritually protective necklaces worn by Etruscan and Roman boys before citizen age

Question 23

Filio-Piety

Answer 23

- The ancestral-religious notion of owing it to your ancestors to be pious and responsible

Question 24

Teraphims

Answer 24

- Little Israelite praying figures - Possibly depicting household gods

Question 25

Zeus-Ktesios

Answer 25

- Zeus of the household

Question 26

Ambrosia

Answer 26

- The food of the gods in Ancient Greece - Water, Olive oil, Grain

Question 27

Arktea

Answer 27

- The young girls festival at the Brauron temle of Artemis in Athens

Question 28

Penates

Answer 28

Roman household god

Question 29

Lares

Answer 29

Roman household guardian

Question 30

Imagos/Imagines

Answer 30

- Ancestral death masks and facial portrait shrines around the house in Ancient Rome

Question 31

Parentalia

Answer 31

- Roman festival dedicated to placate the ghosts of one's ancestors

Question 32

Katakysmatha

Answer 32

The showering sprinkles of nuts, fruits, and coins over the groom's heart after marriage in Ancient Greece

Question 33

Epispasm

Answer 33

- The reversal procedure of circumcision

Question 34

Ephebe

Answer 34

- Mandatory military service in Athens (Men age 18-20)

Question 35

Liberalia

Answer 35

- Festival celebrating the god Liber (Dionysos) - Also celebrated male coming of age ceremonies - Boys are given a "Gown of Liberty"

Question 36

Aetiological

Answer 36

- Explaining something (ex. natural phenomenon or state institution, etc.) through a mythical story - Example: The Athenians used trial by Jury because that's how Orestes god Justice in the myth

Question 37

The Great Ennead

Answer 37

The formal name of the Egyptian Pantheon

Question 38

Book of the Temple

Answer 38

Our main source on Egyptian religion - Contains info on religious architecture, priests, and their bodily/spiritual expectations for the job

Question 39

Arianism

Answer 39

- Believed that Jesus is NOT a truly divine being (aka doesn't believe in the holy trinity)

Question 40

Hereisis

Answer 40

- A choice (in Greek) - Etymological root of the word Heresy

Question 41

Apologetics

Answer 41

- Explanation and defensive rhetoric of early Christianity to Romans

Question 42

Siskur

Answer 42

Hittite emergency ceremonies

Question 43

Enzi

Answer 43

Regularly occurring Hittite ceremonies

Question 44

Ashara

Answer 44

YHWHs female goddess consort (goddess of fertility)