Greek Religion Booklet 5 Flashcards

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1
Q

What were priests responsible for?

A

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

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2
Q

What privileges came with priesthoods?

A

Often unpaid. Best cuts of sacrificial meat, prestige in society, front row seats at theatres and stadiums (Theatre of Dionysus)

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3
Q

How were priesthoods obtained?

A

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

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4
Q

What was the link between priests and politics?

A

A civic priest was always under the responsibility of the local authorities- politicians didn’t need priests to perform religious activities

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5
Q

Example of a priesthood that was inherited?

A

Eumolpidae provided hierophants, Kerykes provided dadouchos at Eleusis

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6
Q

What priesthoods were usually cheaper to purchase?

A

Female ones

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7
Q

What did priests usually look like?

A

Long hair, headband, garland, costly white or purple robes, staff

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8
Q

What are priestesses usually presented holding?

A

A large key to the temple, often dressed like the goddess they represented

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9
Q

Was chastity expected of male priests?

A

Only at festival times for most priesthoods

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10
Q

What are exegetai?

A

Experts in religious law

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11
Q

What are chresmologoi?

A

Oracle mongers

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12
Q

What are manteis?

A

Travelling entrail inspectors and omen interpreters

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13
Q

What was the sacrificial process (simplified)?

A

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

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14
Q

What were the most common sacrificial animals?

A

Sheep, goats, pigs,cattle

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15
Q

What were rare sacrificial animals?

A

Fish, wild animals, dogs, horses, fowl

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16
Q

What was a hecatomb?

A

Originally a sacrifice of 100 oxen- over time became as low as 12 sometimes

17
Q

What was the purpose of a blood sacrifice?

A

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

18
Q

What is a libation?

A

The pouring of a liquid in a ritual context to honour gods, heroes, the dead

19
Q

What liquids were used in libation?

A

it varied- milk, honey, water, wine

20
Q

What would libations often mark?

A

The beginning or end of something- a day, banquet, sacrifice

21
Q

What was the process of a libation?

A

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

22
Q

What was ritual burial?

A

A form of sacrifice which does not involve butchering, but the burial of sacrificial victims or objects

23
Q

What is an example of a ritual burial?

A

Thesmophoria women buried sacrificial piglets to excavate the following year and spread on soil

24
Q

What are votive offerings evidence of?

A

The reciprocal nature of the relationship with the gods