The oikos and household participation Flashcards
Define Oikos
The family, household or home
Who was in charge of religious matters within the household?
The eldest male
How did fathers ensure their sons became citizens?
By admitting them to his phratry
How were sons admitted to a phratry?
At the annual 3-day festival to Zeus Phratrios and Athena Phratria called the Apaturia
What was the Apaturia?
The annual 3-day festival to Zeus Phratrios and Athena Phratria at which sons were admitted to a phratry
At what points in a boy’s life were membership rites and sacrifices performed?
When he was a baby, adolescent, and upon marriage
How often did the male head of the household make offerings to the three main household gods?
Every day
Describe the role of Zeus Ktesios
Protector of property and wealth
Describe how Zeus Ktesios would be honoured by a household
Representation of him was kept in the storeroom in the form of a two handled vase draped in white wooden ribbon that contained seeds, water or olive oil
Describe the role of Zeus Herkeios
Protector of the enclosure or boundaries of the house
Describe how Zeus Herkeios would be honoured by a household
Statue of him and a snake was placed in the centre of the courtyard
Describe the role of Apollo Agyeios
Protector of the house from outside the main door
Describe how Apollo Agyeios would be honoured by a household
A small statuette, small pillar, or a statue of Heracles
Where in the house was the hearth located?
Within one of the shared rooms
To which god was the hearth dedicated to?
Hestia
Describe the role of Hestia
Goddess of the hearth and home, and protector of the family - particularly new members
Describe how new members of the family were welcomed into the home
Walking around the hearth and being showered with fruits and nuts
How was Hestia honoured before meal times?
Offerings such as fruits, nuts, seeds and cakes were thrown into the fire
Describe Herms
Rectangular pillar with bearded head of Hermes on top and erect phallus further down that stood outside the house as a protective symbol to ward of evil and represent strength and fertility
