Key Terms Flashcards
Meaning of pantheon?
The gods when we speak of them collectively.
Meaning of iconography?
Symbols attached to a particular character when represented in an image.
E.g. Lightning with Zeus.
Meaning of polytheism?
The belief in many gods.
Meaning of anthropomorphism?
Giving human form or attributes to something that is otherwise not human.
What is an epithet?
An adjectival word or phrase regularly added to a name to indicate a personal or physical quality.
What is hiera?
The Greeks used the word hiera ‘holy affairs’ instead of the word religion.
What is religio?
The Romans used the word religio ‘the correct worship of the state gods’ instead of the word religion.
Meaning of chthonic?
Gods that were connected with the earth and the underworld.
What is a cornucopia?
A horn shell that contained an endless supply of food and drink.
What is a diadem?
A crown often associated with gods or kings.
What is the acropolis?
The highest point in a Greek city, usually reserved for religious buildings.
What is the aegis?
The breastplate or shield of Athena that contained an image of a gorgon in the centre.
