Temples Flashcards
What was in the temenos?
The temple, an altar outside and all the worshippers present at a sacrifice. A basin of water was also found at the entrance to many sanctuaries, allowing worshippers to cleanse themselves before entering.
How was the temenos market off?
By either a surrounding wall or by marker stones.
What was the centrepiece of the temenos?
The temple.
Why were temples important to the Greeks?
Their private houses were generally modest, and so they looked to their civic buildings for an inspiring display of architecture. It also honoured the gods and flaunted the city’s wealth and culture.
What did the temple act as?
A home for the god, to house the cult statue.
What was the temple lying on?
An east-west axis.
What were the three rooms in the temple?
The naos, the pronaos, and the opisthodomos.
What was the naos for?
The main room of the temple and housed the cult image.
What was the pronaos for?
Entry porch to the naos, which housed the temple’s most valuable offering, such as the booty from warfare.
What was the opisthodomos?
Located at the back of the naos and housed the rest of the temples dedications, such as treasure accumulated from the sale of skin from sacrificed animals or the profit from any loans offered by the temple.
When did the Greeks enter the naos?
Infrequently and only to admire the statue and leave offerings.
How was awe added to the statue?
The naos had no windows, so the only light came through the front doors or from oil lamps.
What were simple altars made of?
A mound of turf, a slab of natural roach or even the heaped up ashes of sacrifices.
What were more elaborate altars made from?
Carved from marble or constructed of bricks and whitewashed lime.
How was the altar laid put?
On an east-west axis.
