Religion Flashcards
How did Romans worship gods in their homes?
The pf would gather the family at the lararium to worship the lares. Before each meal the penates would be worshipped
What were the advantages to a polytheistic society?
Provided a better understanding of natural phenomena
Better chance for personal link with the gods
Opportunity for festivals
What were disadvantages of a polytheistic society?
Too many gods - confusing
Not always good role models
Encouraged scepticism
Did religious worship take place inside a temple?
No it was a home for a particular God - worshippers would leave gifts but worship outside
Where was the sacrificial altar?
Outside so the blood flowed away into the ground
Why did Romans build such impressive temple?
Acted as a home for the gods within a city - super public reverence for a particular deity
Artistic and architectural skills of the Romans
Conveyed the power of the Romans
Paid for by prominent politicians in order to gain support
Why were sacrifices held?
To ask for help or a blessing
To thank for help
To know what the divine will of gods was
Celebrate a regular occasion and therby honour a god
Allowed the elite to maintain politics control
Source of meat
Did an animal always die?
No but generally. If not it was always symbolic of life eg milk cheese fruit etc
What were the early stages of a sacrifice?
Go to the market that day to buy an animal without blemish
Certain animals - certain gods, Jupiter = heifer
Sacrificer wore best toga and put ribbons in the animals horns and tail and lead it through the streets
If it wasn’t willing it was a bad omen
What were the later stages of a sacrifice?
Ceremony was overseen by a pontifex who would cover his head with folds of a toga and wash his hands with scared water
Animals head sprinkles with mola salsa
Animal was stunned by a hammer blow from popa
Another attendant slit it’s throat
Haruspex would examine for opens - if discoloured he would declare bad omens
Innards burned for offering
Meat was eaten
Why was a flute player there?
A glitch = a bad omen so a flute player drowned unwanted sounds
If the omens were good they were burnt ins fire as an offering
Rest of meat was eaten
What was the significance of how the animal was treated?
Decorated with mola salsa to honour gods
Head pointed upwards or downwards downing upon if it was being sacrificed to gods of the underworld
