Roman Funerals Flashcards
What does ‘iusta facere’ mean?
To perform funeral rites
This term refers to the proper execution of funeral ceremonies in Roman culture.
What is a ‘collegium funeraticium’?
A burial society
This was a group formed to manage and conduct funerals for its members.
Who are ‘cultores’ in the context of Roman funerals?
Members of a funeral collegium
These individuals were part of a society that organized burial rites.
What is the meaning of ‘patronus/-a’?
Honorary member of a society who had contributed toward the expense of undertaking
Patrons played a significant role in supporting funeral societies financially.
What does ‘funus acerbum’ refer to?
‘Bitter funeral’ for the death of small children
This type of funeral lacked ceremony due to the nature of the loss.
What characterizes a ‘funus plabeium’?
Plebeian funeral that had no public parade
This type of funeral indicated a lower social status.
What are ‘puticuli’?
25 foot deep grave pits on the Esquiline hill
These pits were used for burials in ancient Rome.
What is the ‘pomerium’?
Boundary line for the city of Rome within which no one could be buried
This law was significant in maintaining the sanctity of the city.
What are ‘horti Maecenatis’?
‘Gardens of Maecenas’ - a park of puticuli
This area served as a burial site in ancient Rome.
What does ‘cenotaphium’ mean?
Empty tomb
This term describes a tomb that does not contain a body.
What is a ‘sepulcrum’?
Room enclosed in a building for burying the dead
This structure was designed for the interment of bodies.
What did columbarium refer to?
‘Dove cote/pigeon house’ - a family tomb that had many inside
This type of tomb allowed for multiple burials within a single structure.
Who are ‘curatorēs’?
Trustees who erected the columbarium
These individuals were responsible for the construction and maintenance of family tombs.
What are sortēs viriles?
Shares of family for paying for a columbarium
Refers to the financial contributions made by family members for burial arrangements.
What is a columbarium?
Niches on the walls where urns were kept
A structure for storing urns containing ashes.
What does the term gradus refer to?
Rows of niches
Used in the context of columbaria.
How did the cost of gradus vary?
Higher gradus cost more
Location and visibility impacted pricing.
What are ordines in relation to columbaria?
Columns of niches
Structural arrangement within the columbarium.
Define titulus.
Marble above the niche with the name of the dead
Often inscribed to honor the deceased.
What is a sarcophagus?
A sarcophagus on a podium for dead bodies
Typically an ornate stone coffin.
What does cepotaphium refer to?
Garden tomb
A burial site often surrounded by greenery.
What is the meaning of horreum?
Storehouse or granary
Used for storage, not specifically related to burial.
What are vineolae?
Trellises
Structures used for supporting climbing plants.
Define solarium.
Terrace
An outdoor space, often associated with funerary architecture.
What is a harundinētum?
Thicket of shrubbery
Often found in gardens or burial sites.
What does aedicula mean?
Tomb with pillars made to look like a temple
A decorative structure for burial.
What is a bustum?
Funeral pyre - grave with burnt bodies
A site for cremation practices.
What does rogus refer to?
Funeral pyre - pile of wood for burning
Used in cremation rituals.
What was used to extinguish the fire on a funeral pyre?
Water or wine
Traditional methods for controlling the flames.
What is an ustrina?
Places for burning bodies and where ashes were collected and dried
Essential in the cremation process.
Define olla.
Urn or jar
Used to hold ashes or bones.
What is an ossuarium?
Jar to put bones in
Specifically for storing remains after cremation.
What is conclamatio?
Formal oration given by the oldest son of the deceased
A ceremonial speech during funerals.
What does lectus funebris mean?
“Death bed” - all of the deceased’s insignia were placed on this couch
A symbolic representation of the deceased’s life.
Who is a designator/libitinarius?
Undertaker
Responsible for funeral arrangements.
What phrase is said before a funeral procession?
“Ollus Quiris lēto datus. Exsequiãs, quibus est commodum, ire iam tempus est. Ollus ex aedibus effertur.”
A traditional announcement made by a public crier.
What were imagines in the context of funerals?
Taken from alae and given to actors
Representations of the deceased for the ceremony.
What is a laudatio?
Funeral oration given in the forum by a public authority
A formal speech honoring the deceased.
What is os resectum?
Ceremonial bone that was buried if the rest of the body is cremated
A symbolic act in the burial process.
silicernium -
funeral feast that was held after the sacrafice of a pig
cena novendialis
feast held after nine days of mourning
sacrificium novendiale
Sacrifice after 9 days
• Parentalia/dies parentales -
February 13-21 - days of obligation
• Feralia -
Feb 21 - festival of the dead
• Violaria -
end of March relatives laid violets on the grave
• Rosaria -
end if May relatives laid roses on the grave
