Tougher Ones and Lists

Question 1

What are the 6 characteristics of Ancient Greek religion?

Answer 1

Polytheistic
Pragmatic
Absence of Atheism
non-confessional
non-exclusive
NO sacred texts

Question 2

What did the scholar Lincoln say about the pervasiveness of Ancient Religions?

Answer 2

People are not fanatically religious per se, but rather, religion is just a fixture of everyday life

Question 3

*** What is the scholar Graf’s 4 criteria points for Ancient Religion?

Answer 3

1. Discourse of transcending the human state
2. A set of specific practices
3. Communities defined by transcendence and practices
4. Institutions that regulate transcendence and practices

Question 4

What were 5 common means of communication with the gods in Rome?

Answer 4

• Divination
• Omens
• Prayer
• Prophecy
• Sacrifice

Acronym: PPODS

Question 5

What were Varro’s 3 levels of Religious interaction?

Answer 5

1. Cosmic (presence of the gods in nature)
2. Cultic (activities that the god looks over) (ex. Mars looks after war)
3. Mythic (Stories and myths about the gods)

Question 6

What are 5 notable attributes of Revolutionary Monotheism?

Answer 6

• NOT evolving directly from polytheism
• Counter-religious movement
• Rejects folklike religion
• Hierarchical; top down
• Canonization: This truth cannot be relived naturally without the codification for future worshippers

Question 7

What were the 4 stages of a Greek cult meeting?

Answer 7

1. Sacrifice
2. Procession
3. Prayers
4. Feast

Question 8

What were the 4 priestly collegias in Rome?

Answer 8

1. Pontificiales
2. Augurales
3. Quimdeciviri sacris faciundis
4. Septemviri Epulones

Question 9

What are 5 common intercultural rituals of the ancient world?

Answer 9

• Processions
• Purifications
• Old/New Year festivals
• Scapegoating
• Aetiological myths

Acronym SOAPP

Question 10

What were the 5 types of Hittite offerings?

Answer 10

1. Attraction offerings
2. Bloodless offerings
3. Animal sacrifice
4. Burnt offerings
5. “Drinking the god” (scholars uncertain of what this means)

Acronym: BBAAD

Question 11

What are some similarities between Greek and Hittite sacrifices?

Answer 11

• Animal’s head had to be shaved before sacrifice
• Cutting the throat of the animal
• Priest gets to keep the hide
• Internal organs are roasted for the god’s consumption
• Blood was splashed
• Meat was given in a stew for all participants to feast on

Question 12

What 4 types of Rites of Passage are always present in ancient societies?

Answer 12

1. Perinatal
2. Wedding
3. Death
4. Funeral