Religion, death and burial Flashcards
What was Roman religion ? and some examples of gods
They were Polytheistic, based on greek gods. It was a reciprocal relationship, to secure peace and cooperation with gods. There was the main pantheon of 12 gods, Jupiter and Juno (king/queen of gods), Vesta (goddess of hearth/home)
Difference between public and private religion:
- both worships took forms of offerings, sacrifices, festivals, games.
- offerings were done to persuade the gods to grant a particular request
Public:
- gods who protected the state
- mostly in festivals/rituals
- led by religious officials (Pontifex and Augurs)
- could sacrifice larger animals (bull and goat)
Private:
- done at home
- led by Pater Familias
- Lares, Penates, and Genius
- offerings of cereals, cakes, salt, honey and flour
Features of temples:
- Hellenistic style
- either rectangular or circular (tholos)
- built of concrete with marble facings
- used also as a TREASURY (money,treasures), very safe as people would not steal from the gods
- entrance oriented to west (if possible)
- altar to east
Temple parts: stylobate
elevated plateau it was built on, with long staircase
Temple parts: cella
most inner central room
Temple parts: capital
came in Doric (plain), Ionic (Scrolls) and Corinthian (Fancy). On top of columns
Temple parts: Frieze
also known as a relief, carved statues found inside triangular roof
Temple parts: pediment
triangular roof
Temple parts: architrave
between pediment and capitals
give an example of tholos-style temple
Temple of Vesta
give an example of rectangular temple
Temple of Saturn
What were the beliefs of the afterlife?
- no particular belief in the afterlife
- no heaven/hell
How were they buried?
- mostly cremated and put into jars
- in family tombs
- dovecot tombs for ashes and busts
- important of remembering their ancestors
- buried in necropolis outside Rome
