Greek and Roman sacrifices

Question 1

What role did a Hiereus/ Hiereia play? (4 points)

Answer 1

• Look after the temple of the God(dess)
• Make sure proper ritual was carried out with correct precision
• Certain priests has particualr benefits and responisibilities, and were often linked to one specific God(dess)

Question 2

Why would one wish to become a Hiereus/ Hiereia? (2 points + 3 points for explaining what they were NOT expected to do)

Answer 2

• To show commitment to their city.
• It was a temporary role, and required no training, though it could last from 1 festival to a year to their entire life.
  (- They were not expected to spread Gods’ word/ hold services/ and were not expected to provide pastoral care)

Question 3

Why did Greeks make sacrifices? (2 points)

Answer 3

• Offering to the Gods
• For good omens

Question 4

What did the Greeks offer to the Gods in sacrifices? (5 points)

Answer 4

• money
• expensive food
• valuable things
• blood sacrifices
• jewelwry

Question 5

What sort of aniumal were used in a sacrifice? List both the species (4 points) of animal and what condition they were required to be in. (1 point)

Answer 5

• Bulls
• Pigs
• Chickens
• Pigeons

Expected to be the best out of their livestock - in prime condition.

Question 6

Give the 10 steps of a Greek Sacrifice:

Answer 6

1. Animals were clean, to not pollute the sacrifice. Particiapnts would wear their best clothes and sometimes garlands. The animal would be glided on its horns (if any), then led to the altar by attendants.
2. There was always a maiden who carried a basted of barley/grains and the sacrificial knife.
3. The number of attendants from sacrifices would vary, but musicians + water-bearers were compulsory.
4. Musicians were important to keep the animal less firghtenend - if the beast showed fear, it was a sign from the Gods to restart the festival
5. The procession arrived at the sanctuary, pariticpants clean themselves again with water. Everyone gathers around the lit altar.
   6.Before the kill, water would be poured onto the animal, and everybody would throw handfuls of grain into the fire.
6. Now the preparations are complete, the sacrifices is done by sutting the throat of the animal. Its blood would be poured onto the altar.
7. The feast begins. The God would recieve their portion of boes wrapped in fat first (given by being burned on tha altar), and wine being poured onto the fire.
8. After the meat was cooked, the God will be named, and since meat was not commonly consumed in Greece (and sacrifices were rare), they would feast lavishly.
9. No part of the animal was wasted. The skin would be devoted to the God/ to the altar.

Question 7

What were the 5 steps of Roman sacrifice that were different to the Greek?

Answer 7

• Pontifex would lead the ceremony, or a private citizen if it was smaller
• Participants would wash and dress in their best clothes
• Animals would be glided, and ribbons would be tied around its tail or horns
• Presisind priest would veils its head with his toga, and there would be flute players
• At the altar, the priest woudl sprinkle mola salsa onto the animals head.

Question 8

Role of Greek Priest(ess) (4 points)

Answer 8

• Look after the temple of the God(ess)
• Make surre proper prayer/ sacrifice was carried out with correct ritual
• Certain priests has specific responsibilities
• One who sacrifices to a God(ess)