Greek Religion Booklet 5 Flashcards
What were priests responsible for?
The physical care of the sanctuary they oversaw, managing loans to states and individuals, performing rituals, preparing sacrificial animals brought to shrines, organising funding for religious activities, invoking the good will of the gods on behalf of the community
What privileges came with priesthoods?
Often unpaid. Best cuts of sacrificial meat, prestige in society, front row seats at theatres and stadiums (Theatre of Dionysus)
How were priesthoods obtained?
Inheritance- often lifelong and prominent roles in important cults; by lot- on an annual basis; through purchase- men and women could pay to obtain certain priesthoods
What was the link between priests and politics?
A civic priest was always under the responsibility of the local authorities- politicians didn’t need priests to perform religious activities
Example of a priesthood that was inherited?
Eumolpidae provided hierophants, Kerykes provided dadouchos at Eleusis
What priesthoods were usually cheaper to purchase?
Female ones
What did priests usually look like?
Long hair, headband, garland, costly white or purple robes, staff
What are priestesses usually presented holding?
A large key to the temple, often dressed like the goddess they represented
Was chastity expected of male priests?
Only at festival times for most priesthoods
What are exegetai?
Experts in religious law
What are chresmologoi?
Oracle mongers
What are manteis?
Travelling entrail inspectors and omen interpreters
What was the sacrificial process (simplified)?
Prepare the sacrificial animals with woolen fillets, lead to altar. Wash and take a handful of barley. Sprinkle animal’s head with water (to nod in consent), cut a strand of its hair, put on altar, light fire, pray. Throw barley. Cut throat of victim, women shout, catch blood, cut up animal, inspect entrails, cook meat- put thigh meat and entrails on fire, feast of remaining meat
What were the most common sacrificial animals?
Sheep, goats, pigs,cattle
What were rare sacrificial animals?
Fish, wild animals, dogs, horses, fowl
What was a hecatomb?
Originally a sacrifice of 100 oxen- over time became as low as 12 sometimes
What was the purpose of a blood sacrifice?
United community, fed people, display of strength and wealth, displayed hierarchy between animals and humans, appeased the gods and earned their good will, celebration of achievements
What is a libation?
The pouring of a liquid in a ritual context to honour gods, heroes, the dead
What liquids were used in libation?
it varied- milk, honey, water, wine
What would libations often mark?
The beginning or end of something- a day, banquet, sacrifice
What was the process of a libation?
Pored out of a wine jug into a libation bowl, from there onto an altar or the ground. Special larger scale libations poured into grave vessels or the earth
What was ritual burial?
A form of sacrifice which does not involve butchering, but the burial of sacrificial victims or objects
What is an example of a ritual burial?
Thesmophoria women buried sacrificial piglets to excavate the following year and spread on soil
What are votive offerings evidence of?
The reciprocal nature of the relationship with the gods
