Funeral Customs of the Ancient Greeks

Question 1

How did the Greeks view death?

Answer 1

Bodily existence under the earth in a kind of underworld

Shadowy afterlife

Question 2

When did cremation begin to appear in Ancient Greece?

Answer 2

1000 BC

Question 3

Who influenced the cremation trend?

Answer 3

Germanic Tribes

Question 4

When was cremation the dominant form of disposition?

Answer 4

700 BC

Question 5

This was the first record in Greek history tat the soul separates from the body, and only the soul joins the gods

Answer 5

The Cult of Dionysius

Question 6

Who was the god of wine?

Answer 6

Dionysius

Question 7

Only a select few souls would pass on to everlasting happiness here

Answer 7

Elysian Fields

Question 8

Prior to Christian influence, Greeks held a most pessimistic view of an afterlife, with hopelessness and despair prevailing, which is referred to as

Answer 8

Fatalism

Question 9

This required burial of all, including the corpse of strangers

Answer 9

Law of Athens

Question 10

What did the law of Athens require?

Answer 10

Burial of all, including the corpse of strangers

Question 11

What did preparation of the body in Ancient Greece require?

Answer 11

Washing, dressing, anointing with oil, perfumes, and spices, all performed by the females of the family

Question 12

What was the coin called that was placed in the deceased’s mouth?

Answer 12

Obol

Question 13

Why was an obol placed in the deceased’s mouth?

Answer 13

To pay the ferryman, Charon, for passage across the River Styx

Question 14

What is an example of a sumptuary law in the Ancient Greek society?

Answer 14

No more than 3 burial robes could be used - one to cover the bier, one to cover the deceased, and one to cover everything

Question 15

How long would the deceased be placed in state?

Answer 15

As long as 7 days

Question 16

Where was the deceased placed in state?

Answer 16

In his or her own home

Question 17

Why was the wake so important in Ancient Greek society?

Answer 17

A fear of being buried alive

Question 18

A wake was also known as what?

Answer 18

Death Watch

Question 19

A honey cake was included with the corpse. Why?

Answer 19

For the three headed dog Cerberus, who guarded the lower regions

Question 20

What did the procession consist of?

Answer 20

Corpse bearers, often hired
Female blood relations over 16, or any female acquaintance over the age of 60
Fraternity members and any males who wished to participate
Hired dirge singers

Question 21

Prior to 1000 BC, what was the prominent form of disposition?

Answer 21

Earth burial

Question 22

From 1000 BC to the time of Christ, what was the prominent form of disposition?

Answer 22

Cremation

Question 23

By 500 CE, what was the prominent form of disposition?

Answer 23

Earth burial

Question 24

What was the connection between the Greek and Egyptian death beliefs?

Answer 24

There is no connection

Question 25

The Greek death belief was primarily

Answer 25

Shade or soul separated from the body

Question 26

These are the four classifications of Greek tombs

Answer 26

Stelae
Kiones
Trapezae
Naidia

Question 27

Upright slabs of stone, like a marker or head stone

Answer 27

Stelae (shafts)

Question 28

A tomb having above ground single or multiple columns

Answer 28

Kiones (Columns)

Question 29

Similar to an above ground crypt or masoleum; single or multiple interments

Answer 29

Trapezae (Square Cut Tomb)

Question 30

Owned by one family; Mose elaborate of the Greek tombs, small burial building for multiple Interments

Answer 30

Naidia

Question 31

Type of raised sculpture projecting from a flat surface

Answer 31

Bas-relief

Question 32

What was placed inside the tomb or coffin for a celebration of death?

Answer 32

Practical and artistic ornaments, jewels, vessels, wreaths, painted vases, articles of toilet, war, and play

Question 33

What broke the fast that the bereaved had been keeping since the death of their loved one?

Answer 33

The Funeral Feast

Question 34

The slaughter of slaves and animals to accompany the deceased in the afterlife

Answer 34

Suttee

Question 35

The most extreme form of Suttee

Answer 35

The wife and concubines of the deceased are sacrifised