Greek religion - hero cults Flashcards
Define ‘cult’
A system of religious worship expressed as a ritual, devotion or homage to a person or thing
When did hero-cults become widespread and normal?
8th century BC onwards
Where were hero shrines usually constructed?
Around the supposed tomb of the hero
What rituals took place after an important person had died?
A procession, formalised lamentations sung at the tomb, and offerings to the dead that continued beyond the actual funeral at regular intervals
Who would be involved in honouring someone who had benefited the local or wider community?
Others as well as family
How did heroes differ from the gods?
They had died and were now living as shades or ghosts in the underworld
What offerings were given to heroes by the cults that worshipped them?
Holocausts (all sacrificial animals burnt up completely) and libations - often of blood - poured into the earth
Who received hero-cults?
People who had shown prowess in battle, bravery, or had affected the local community
How did Theseus redeem himself in the eyes of Athenians?
- united all the small towns around Athens under his control
- introduced democracy
- began the Panathenaic games
- performed heroic labours
Who did Academus become a hero to and why?
Spartans, as he told Helen’s brothers and father where Theseus was hiding her
Why did Heracles become a hero?
He carried out the twelve labours set by his cousin, King Eurystheus, to redeem himself for killing his wife and three children
Why did Asclepius become a hero?
He was the son of Apollo and had the skill of healing, however he was killed by one of Zeus’ thunderbolts when he brought a dead man back to life. He became known as a god of healing.
What offerings were given to Asclepius by his hero-cults?
Votive offerings in the shape of the body part that needed to be healed
define heroization
the act of heroizing someone
what two heroes were worshipped at shrines all over the Greek world?
Heracles and Asclepius
