Women in Religion Flashcards
Who was the Pythia
priestess of Apollo in Delphi, though to be one of the most reliable in the world
what was a Hiereia?
a Greek priestess
what was a Pantheon
a group of gods and goddesses
what were sacrifices and where were they
Sacrificing was the most important way for Greeks to worship the gods, and would be left at the alter
what were libations
liquid offerings poured into the ground
who would examine the organs of a sacrifice
a mantis
what was a mantis
a Greek prophet seer or soothsayer
what were the two opportunities where unmarried Athenian girls could take part in religious worship
- The Arrephoroi (bearers of secret offerings)
.four girls selected from age 7 to eleven were selected to live on the Acropolis and would fetch baskets containing sacred items for the festival of Arrephoria
- Bears, girls 5-10 would be selected as bears and spend time honering the goddess Artemis
what would cause the Pythia to become intoxicated
most likely the burning of laurel leaves inside her room
who would interpret for the Pythia
priests
define religious pollution
state of uncleanness acquired in a number of different ways that offended the gods and prevented participation in religious festivals.
what were the three religious festivals that were particularly significant for women
.The Thesmophoria
.The Cult of Dionysus
.The Great Panathenaea
Who did the Great Panathenaia celebrate
Festival held every four years to honour the birthday of Athena patron goddess of Athens
what is a Peplos
.Greek dress, a peplos is weaved for the olivewood statue of Athena
who were the Ergistini
female weavers that made the Peplos
what is a frieze
a painted decoration depicting a scene
what did the ergistini weave onto the peplos
mythical battle of the gods VS the giants (gigantomachy)
what frieze dipicted the Great Panathenaia
The Parthenon frieze on the Parthenon building
what did the frieze depict
where would the peplos end up
on the Acropolis
what was the Chiton
a long woollen dress
who was Demeter
goddess of fertility and harvest
what was the primary function of the Thesmophoria
to ensure good success for next years harvest
which story was mirrored in the ritual of the Thesmophoria
the abduction of Persephone
What were the stages of the Thesmophoria
day 1. worshippers would set up temporary shelters near the Pnyx
day 2. worshippers fasted and covered themselves in ash to mourn like Demeter
day 3. worshippers said blessings related to fertility, children or bountiful crops
what was the pnyx
the hill on which the Athenian Assembly met
what would happen to the piglets before The Thesmophoria ritual and why?
.pigs would be lowed into a chasm and brought back up after decomposing
.this symbolised the Persephone’s journey into darkness then back into light.
.The decomposed bits would be mixed with corn and later spread onto the fields
what was the Thesmophoria a good chance for women
.weren’t under direct control of her Kyrios
.an opportunity to socialise and make new friends
.they were allowed to be rude and joke with each other
what was a mystery cult
a type of religious worship only open to certain people
define ekstasis
experience of being someone other than yourself
what were Maenad/bacchant
female worshippers of Dionysus
what was (briefly) the cult of Dionysus
.women would go out to the countryside, get intoxicated dance and sing and dance.
.it helped women to shake of patriarchal constraints
what does the Maenad cup depict
a very detailed image of a Maenad
who could bury family members
only direct relatives or woman over sixty
how was the body prepared
.body anointed with oils
.clothed
.coin would be placed in the mouth to pay Charon and cross the river styx
the vestal virgins main roles
.attend religious festivals
.bake the sacred salt cakes
.tend to the sacred fire
how many vestal virgins were there and how were they picked
.6
.chosen from rich families in Rome
what was the consequences of letting the fire die
buried alive to sacrifice to Dona Dea
Where was the house of the vestal virgins
in the civic heart of Rome in the forum
Who were the flamines
a college of fifteen priests, each priest associated with a single deity
which god did the Flamen Dialis serve
Jupiter
who was the Flaminica Dialis
the wife of the Flamen Dialis
what were the duties of the Flaminica Dialis
.sacrifice a ram every eigth day
.weaving the ceremonial clock for their husband
.attending religious ceremonies with her husband
.avoid religious pollution by following certain superstitions
define Pudacitia
Roman feminine sexual modesty
what was the cult of Patricia Pudicitia? Who could join?
a cult dedicated to the worship of the goddesss in a shrine in the forum Boarium
.only open to women of the high/Patrician class
define Univira
a Roman woman whos only married once
what was the Plebeian class
commoners in Ancient Rome
who started the Cult of Plebeia Pudicitia and why
.Verginia
.She was of noble class but married a Plebian so was not permitted to join
.a Temple of Plebeia Pudicitia was built on the Quirinal Hill
who was the Sybil
. Roman prophetess or female mantis
who and what were the keepers of the Sibylline Books in Rome
the Quindecemviri were 15 men who were the books keepers
what colour was the Peplos dyed?
purple and saffron
What dish is the Dionysus source painted on
A kylix
