Women in Religion

Question 1

Hiereia:

Answer 1

A Greek priestess

Question 2

A Hiereia did not have to dedicate her life instead…

Answer 2

positions were only held for a year

Question 3

The Pythia [3]:

Answer 3

• She resided at the sanctuary of Apollo at Pelphi
• People visited her to remove religious pollution
• People also visited her to get advice

Question 4

Hiereia did not have to…

Answer 4

go through any special training as they were not reponsible for the spiritual or moral wellbeing

Question 5

Greek phases of sacrifice part one [6]:

Answer 5

• The priestess would direct the ritual
• They offered up prayers to the gods asking for particular favour or made a blessing
• They would oversee the animal being killed at the altar outside the
• They shout ‘ololyge’ at the moment of death
• The priestess would pray then direct the ritual to carve the meet
• A communal feast followed

Question 6

Greek phases of sacrifices part two [3]:

Answer 6

• Afterwards the Mantis would examine the entrails
• The Mantis would study the texture and colour of the entrails
• She would make predictions based on the entrails

Question 7

The Pythia’s identity- Theory one [4]:

Answer 7

• She was a local peasant woman
• Over the age of 50
• born in Delphi
• Lived a blameless life

Question 8

The Pythia’s identity- Theory two:

Answer 8

She was a virgin maiden

Question 9

Once chosen the Pyhtia…[2]:

Answer 9

• Was the priestess for life

- She had to refrain from sex for this time

Question 10

The Castalian Spring [2]:

Answer 10

• Had sacred water

- Spring of poetic inspiration

Question 11

In July The Pythia would…[2]:

Answer 11

• Dress herself in Apollo’s sacred plant

- She would then bathe herself in the Castalian Spring

Question 12

Encounters with the Pythia [5]:

Answer 12

• Men and only men would make a sacrifice then ask her a question
• She sat on a 3 legged stool in the innermost room in the temple
• In the room was a chasm into the earth
• She burned barley and layrel leaves as an offering to Apollo then breathed deeply
• Once intoxicated she was ready to answer questions

Question 13

When a Pyhtia died…

Answer 13

a new woman would be chosen to replace her

Question 14

As a general rule godesses…

Answer 14

Were served by priestesses

Question 15

The main roles of a Hiereia [3]:

Answer 15

• Look after the sanctuary and buildings inside it
• Supervise the work of temple attendants
• Presiding at sacrifices and certain public festivals

Question 16

Benefits of being a Hiereia [4]:

Answer 16

• It was a salaried position
• Some were paid very well
• They could eat meat
• She could sell meat for profit

Question 17

In Rome…

Answer 17

men held the vast majority of priesthoods

Question 18

The Vestal Virgins [5]:

Answer 18

• One of the most important Roman female roles in religon
• Six women
• They were charged with taking care of the temple of Vesta and the ceremonial fire
• They as the name implies could not have sexual relations
• They came from high class

Question 19

The main responsibilities of he Vestal Virgins were to…[6]:

Answer 19

• Tend to the sacred fire
• Once a year she had to extinguish the fire to purify and clean the temple
• Attend certain public festivals
• Assist with the worship of Bona Dea and Vesta by making blood sacrifices
• To bake the sacred salt cake used at state sacrifices
• Act as guardians of important documents including wills and treaties

Question 20

Dionysius of Haclcamassus [4]:

Answer 20

• Tells the story of Amelia a Vestal Virgin
• She was accused of letting the fire go out
• She was suspected of being unchast
• She was put to death

Question 21

When a Vestal was negligent and let the fire go out they would be…

Answer 21

• Beaten By the Pontifex Maximus

Question 22

If a Vestal Virgin lost her virginity was…[4]:

Answer 22

• Death
• She would be entombed and die of starvation and dehydration
• The guilty virgin would be trapped under the weight of stones and Earth
• This death may have been to mirror the death of Tarpeia who was crushed by shields

Question 23

Privileges the Vestal Virgins enjoyed [6]:

Answer 23

• They were free from paterfamilias
• They had the right to manage their own property and write their own will
• They were protected
• They could pardon people on their way to be executed
• Special seats were reserved for them at shows and festivals
• They lived in a Palatial residence

Question 24

To harm a Vestal Virgin was…[2]:

Answer 24

• Sacrilegious

- Punishable by death

Question 25

The Atrium Vestae [3]:

Answer 25

• Located in right in the civic heart of Rome
• Located in the Forum
• Surrounded by important buildings like temples and the Senate house

Question 26

Flaminica Dialis only had religious roles…

Answer 26

because they were married to the Flamen Dialis

Question 27

The Flaminica Dialis was not allowed to

Answer 27

divorce her husband for any reason

Question 28

Duties of the Flaminica Dialis [4]:

Answer 28

• Sacrificing a ram to jupiter every 8th day on market day
• Weaving a ceremonial cloak for the Flamen Dialis
• Attending certain festivals alongside her husband
• Avoiding religious pollution by following a series of superstitious rules

Question 29

The Flaminica Dialis was not allowed to…[2]:

Answer 29

• Cut her hair in june

- Cut her nails in June