Sacrifice Flashcards
What happens in the preparation of a sacrifice (5 points)
- Animal is led to altar
- participants cleanse their hands
- victims head is sprinkled with water to make it nod
- strand of victims hair is put on altar
- everyone present throw a handful of barley to show attendance
how was the animal killed in the sacrifice (3 points)
- the victims throat was cut with a knife
- women chanted in ritual cry
- Blood from victim was poured on the altar
how was the meat handled (4 points)
- gods portions were taken away and burned
- entrails were taken out and roasted on spit
- remaining meat was cooked and shared out
- omens would’ve been taken during sacrifice
what was a libation
libations were liquid offerings
what are some examples of liquids used for libations
water, wine, milk and honey
where were libations used
in public and private
how would one give a libation to the dead or earthly
by pouring it onto the ground or a grave
what is an example of when a libation would be used
to mark the beginning and end of a day of feasting
what is a votive offering
a vow made by an individual or a community that if a certain deity helped them they would dedicate something to them
what do votive offerings show us
the reciprocal relationship between Greeks and their gods.
when were votive offerings made
at landmark moments in ones life:
- children would offer locks of hair from their first cut on becoming adolescents
- craftsmen may offer their tools on retirement
how were more expensive votive offerings recorded
on inventory lists
what was ritual burial
burying of sacrificial victims or objects.
where do we have an example of ritual burial
at the Thesmophoria women ritually buried the sacrificial piglets
