Greek Sacrifice - The Preparation

Question 1

What would all participants ensure before starting and why?

Answer 1

That they were clean and well in order not to pollute the sacrifice

Question 2

What would participants wear?

Answer 2

Their best clothes and garlands of leaves or twigs, dependent on the sacrifice

Question 3

What would the maiden carry?

Answer 3

A basket full of barley grains or cakes, which hid the sacrificial knife

Question 4

What would be the minimum at a small sacrifice?

Answer 4

There would at least be musicians and water bearers

Question 5

Why were the musicians important?

Answer 5

They would play music so the animal wouldn’t be frightened of the crowd - if it was it would be a negative sign and they’d have to do it again

Question 6

What happened once the procession arrived at the sanctuary?

Answer 6

The participants would cleanse themselves with water again and gather around the altar

Question 7

What would the sacrificer do to the animal and why?

Answer 7

Pour water on its head to make it nod, showing it agreed to be sacrificed

Question 8

What would the other participants do with the grain and why?

Answer 8

Throw it into the fire to confirm their participation