Greek: Burial Of The Body

Question 1

Where would the deceased be buried and why ?

Answer 1

Outside the city as it was vital to remove the chance of religious pollution
Also reduced the chance of spreading disease

Question 2

In Athens, where was the main burial ground ?

Answer 2

Kerameikos, an area northwest of the city walls

Question 3

What happens when the body reaches the burial ground ?

Answer 3

It was either buried or cremated

Question 4

What would happen in a cremation ?

Answer 4

A pyre would be bull and the deceased laid on top and then it was lit
After the body was burned the ashes were collected in an urn and given to the family
It would then be placed in a shrine or grave

Question 5

What would the family add to the grave and why ?

Answer 5

Burial gifts to assist the deceased journey to the underworld
Such as food

Question 6

What else may be placed on the grave ?

Answer 6

Depending on the wealth of the family a stele may be set up which was a stone slab with a pattern or images carved into it and acted as a grave stone

Question 7

What was vital for a family to do ?

Answer 7

Remember the deceased
If a family neglected the deceased grave it would bring dishonour to their family

Question 8

What would a family employ for a stele ?

Answer 8

A sculptor to carve a relief on the stele that reflected the deceased life
Sometimes a display of Welsh r and status

Question 9

Once the deceased was buried or cremated what would happen ?

Answer 9

A sacrifice took place
It differed from a normal sacrifice as the blood of the victim was released into the earth as an offering to Hades and Persephone

Question 10

What happens post burial and sacrifice ?

Answer 10

A thirty day period of mourning
Three days of which where obligated to see the deceased those being the third, ninth and thirteenth
After this they would visit the grave annually