Religion Flashcards
How did the ancients deal with death and its relation to children?
Because infant mortality and mortality in general was so high, children within families were expected to experience death in some shape or form
Death could not be hidden away
Children were exposed to death and were always potrayed to be more emotional in death
Children took part in death holidays
Did children participate in funerals?
Yes, funerals were familial affairs
How did young children react to death in funerals?
Young children are unaware of the social conventions and does not know how to “properly” express mourning so they will act out like a child and open express sorrow regardless of their sex
What kind of public funerals did the Romans have?
Romans had large public funerals for upstanding citizens. Families of the dead were honoured and celebrated. The deceased was celebrated by all due to the man’s achievements.
Young men were encouraged to strive to achieve this funeral by accomplishing many things
What was the Pais amphitales?
This was a wedding ritual that involved children.
The night before the wedding ceremony, the bride would sleep at the groom’s home. A young boy–precisely one with two living parents–would arrive to sleep in the same bed as the bride, symbolizing her future motherhood.
Did children take part in domestic and religious practices?
Children took part in many domestic and religious practices
What was the point of children being involved in household affairs?
Cohesion was very important for these practices
As a family, they would all receive blessings from the gods. If a member was gone, that member would not get the blessing
What did children learn from being involved in religious household affairs?
There was no formal education for a religion like there is today. Thus children learned how to perform in their families’ practices. Participation and observation was key. The family was key to learning religion.
Did children participate in public religious affairs?
Ancients celebrated death. Special holidays where death supposedly walks among society. Rich children were able to participate in public festivals but not of lower class
What was the Circus Maximus? Were children involved?
A roman event. The Cirus Maximus celebrated religious events. Boys and girls participated in this event. They were around the age of 12. Boys and girls participated in foot races, singing, playing music and dancing
Why were children both actively and passively engaged in religion?
- It was key for children to participate in religion as they would be educated on it and could appreciate what religion means to the people. Then they would then teach the future generations.
- Children were responsible for appeasing the gods. The ancients believed the gods were get angered even by children. Therefore, Children need to learn proper conduct to prevent angering gods and causing harm.
Is there a relation to children learning religion and their “purity?”
Yes, purity was essential to learning religious practices. Children were deemed “pure” as they were untouched by the pollutant known as sex. In other words, purity is virginity.
Another way purity can be interpreted alongside with virginity is purity via not being exposed to war and bloodshed.
What is the connection between children’s innocence/purity and puberty within girls?
- Once a girl hits puberty, it means she is no longer innocent to sexual thoughts
2.Once a girls mentruation starts, she bleeds is therefore “shedding blood” so she’s lacking innocence
