1.3 Religion and society Flashcards
(145 cards)
1
Q
define polis
A
‘city-state’
a city and all the land it controlled as one political entity
2
Q
define oikos
A
the family, household, or home
3
Q
who was the head of house in families?
A
the eldest male figure, typically the father
4
Q
what were the religious roles of the head of house in families?
A
- religious authority lay with him
- he acted as the priest and overseer of household rituals
- made daily offerings to the three household gods
5
Q
name the three main household gods
A
Zeus Ktesios
Zeus Herkeios
Apollo Agyeios
6
Q
what was the role of Zeus Ktesios?
A
protector of property and wealth
7
Q
where would a depiction of Zeus Ktesios be kept in the house, and what would it have looked like?
A
he was represented by a two-handled vase draped in a white woollen ribbon, filled with seeds, water and olive oil, and was kept in the storeroom
8
Q
what was the role of Zeus Herkeios?
A
Zeus of the fence protected the enclosure of the house
9
Q
where would a depiction of Zeus Herkeios be kept in the house, and what would it have looked like?
A
a statue of Zeus often with a snake to ward off evil was placed in the courtyard around which the house was structured
10
Q
what was the role of Apollo Agyeios?
A
protecting the house from outside the main door
11
Q
where would a depiction of Apollo Agyeios be kept in the house, and what would it have looked like?
A
he was represented by a statuette, a small pillar, or a statue of Heracles placed by the main door of the house
12
Q
which household religious area protected the home from the inside, and to which god was it dedicated?
A
The central hearth, which was dedicated to Hestia
13
Q
which household religious area protected the home from the outside, and to which god was it dedicated?
A
The Herm, which was dedicated to Hermes
14
Q
describe a herm
A
a rectangular pillar with the bearded head of the god Hermes at the top and an erect phallus at the appropriate position further down
15
Q
what were hems used for?
A
- halfway markers on roads
- protective symbols outside houses
16
Q
how were new members of the family (such as babies, slaves, or new brides) welcomed into the home?
A
a small ceremony of walking around the hearth whilst being showered in dried fruits and nuts
17
Q
what offerings were given once a year at the gravesite of a deceased family member, and who was responsible for this?
A
the father was responsible for offerings garlands and libations of milk and honey once a year in the name of the deceased
18
Q
how was a son welcomed into his father’s phratry?
A
through a three-day festival in honour of Zeus Phratrios called the Apatouris
19
Q
what was the Apatouris?
A
the three-day festival in honour of Zeus Phratrios which welcomed a son into his father’s phratry
20
Q
what was the main religious participation of women?
A
priestesses for state cults or in communal civic cults
21
Q
what religious roles could young girls participate in according to Aristophanes’ Lysistrata?
A
- Arrēphoros
- Grinder
- Foundress’s Bear
- Basket-bearer
22
Q
describe the role of the Arrēphoroi
A
two chosen maidens who carried baskets given by Athena containing mystery objects. they carried the basket on their head from the Acropolis to the sanctuary of Aphrodite in the Gardens through a secret passage-way. they left the basket there and took something else back. this was part of a secret ritual performed in May associated with the temple of Athena Polias
23
Q
describe the role of the grinder
A
grinding the meal for the cakes which would be offered to Athena on her altar at various occasions, such as the Panathenaic Festival
24
Q
what ritual was required for all girls before they could marry?
A
dressing up as bears at the festival of Artemis Brauronia
25
describe what took place at the festival of Artemis Brauronia
girls would dress up like bears
26
describe the role of a basket-bearer
carrying baskets of sacrificial implements at occasions such as the Panathenaic Procession
27
who was responsible for performing the appropriate rites when someone died by tending to the corpse?
women
28
how many days of sacrifices took place yearly in the deme Erchia, and how many animals were sacrificed?
twenty-five days of sacrifices, during which fifty-nine animals were sacrificed
29
the religious calendar of Erchia records the worship of how many Apollos?
six Apollos
30
name the six Apollos that were worshipped in Erchia
- Apotropaios
- Delphinios
- Lykeios
- Nymphegetes
- Paion
- Pythios
31
what was the role of Apollo Aporopaios in Erchia?
Apollo averter of evil
32
what was the role of Apollo Delphinios in Erchia?
Apollo of Delphi
33
what was the role of Apollo Lykeios in Erchia?
Apollo of wolves
34
what was the role of Apollo Nymphegetes in Erchia?
Apollo leader of the nymphs
35
what was the role of Apollo Paion in Erchia?
Apollo the healer
36
what was the role of Apollo Pythios in Erchia?
Apollo the Pythian (referring to Delphi)
37
what festival would the people of Erchia celebrate in honour of Demeter?
the Proerosia, a pre-ploughing festival
38
household religion is a microcosm of what?
polis religion
39
how was the worship of Hestia and the hearth seen in a polis context?
a polis hearth was set up in the Prytaneion, a state dining room in the agora
40
what building was created in Athens to correspond to the sanctuary at Eleusis, and where was it located?
the City Eleusinion was built on the slopes of the Acropolis
41
How was the City Eleusinion integrated into the Eleusinian mysteries?
participants gathered there before starting the procession to Eleusis
42
name the four most important Panhellenic sanctuaries in Greece
- Delphi
- Olympia
- Nemea
- Isthmus
43
which god was worshipped at Delphi?
Pythian Apollo
44
what is the meaning of the Pythian Apollo epithet?
Apollo who slew Pytho, a mythical snake that terrorised the area
45
which Panhellenic Games were held at Delphi?
the Pythian Games
46
which god was worshipped at Olympia?
Olympian Zeus
47
which god was worshipped at Nemea?
Nemean Zeus
48
which god was worshipped at Isthmus?
Isthmian Poseidon
49
what is the meaning of the Olympian Zeus epithet?
Zeus of Olympus, the mountains in northern Greece where the gods lived
50
what is the meaning of the Nemean Zeus epithet?
Zeus of Nemea
51
what is the meaning of the Isthmian Poseidon epithet?
Poseidon of the Isthmus
52
which Panhellenic Games were held at Olympia?
the Olympian Games
53
which Panhellenic Games were held at Nemea?
the Nemean Games
54
which Panhellenic Games were held at Isthmus?
the Isthmian Games
55
define demos
the people in a city-state/deme
56
who had religious authority in Athens?
the demos/people
57
describe the roles of priests and priestesses
- overseeing sacrifices
- overseeing libations
- overseeing prayers
- looking after the cult statue
- looking after the temple
- overseeing the finances of the sanctuary
58
who decided how much money priests should be given to cary out their duties?
the state
59
define archon
an Athenian magistrate
60
describe the roles of the archon basileus
- responsibility over the religious calendar
- judicial authority over religious matters (such as arbitrations and impiety trials)
- responsibility over all sacrifices that involved ancestral cults
- carrying out polis scapegoat rituals at the polis hearth
61
describe the role of the eponymous archon
- authority over civic festivals for that year
62
define eponymous archon
the archon responsible for a range of civil matters
63
describe the roles of the polemarch
- in charge of cults related to military affairs
- in charge of the Athenian army
64
describe the worship of Artemis Agrotera
sacrifices were made to her on the battlefield
65
describe the roles of the epimeletai
'overseers' that were individually appointed in Athens for particular festivals. originally they had to pay for the processions, but by the second half of the 4th century, the state funds paid for them.
66
define miasma
impiety or pollution in relation to the gods
67
give nine ways in which a person could considered polluted
- after giving birth
- being physically dirty
- not honouring the gods in the right way or on the right day
- disrespecting the ancestral laws of burial
- disrespecting someone's right to asylum
- having sexual-intercourse
- committing murder
- entering the home of a woman who had just given birth
68
how could someone purify themselves if they were physically dirty?
sprinkle water on themselves in the basin situated at the entrance of the sanctuary
69
in what year was a decree passed allowing the public prosecution of 'those who did not believe in the gods'
433 BC
70
what was the sacred truce?
a truce made by all Greek city-states during the Olympic games, which guaranteed an end to any conflict for the duration of the festival
71
Herodotus writes about which king consulting the oracle at Delphi, and what doe he inquire about?
Croesus, king of Lydia, consulted the oracle at Delphi about whether he should wage war against the Persians or not
72
after whose invasion of Greece did the Athenians consult the Delphic oracle, and how did they interpret the advice they were they given?
Xerxes invaded Greece in 480 BC. the Pythia advised them to take refuge in the 'wooden walls'. Themistocles interpreted this as their victory laying in their navy.
73
what reason does Herodotus give for Pausanias and the Spartans refusing to fight the Persians in the Battle of Plataea?
they refused to fight until the sacrificial omens were favourable
74
define stoa
a colonnaded portico where people could take shelter from rain, wind, and sun, which could also house shops
75
define trireme
the state-of-the-art warship of the 5th century Greek world
76
how did the Athenians celebrate and thank the gods after their defeat of the Persians?
- erected a stoa at Delphi in thanks for the advice they were given
- dedicated the captured Persian triremes to the Panhellenic sanctuaries of Poseidon at Nemea and Isthmia in gratitude to the sea god for their naval victories
77
how did the opening ceremony of the Athenian assembly meting begin?
a piglet was sacrificed, and its blood was spattered over the assembly members
78
what was the Areopagus?
the Athenian law court situated opposite the Acropolis
79
at which court were Alcibiades and Socrates tried for impiety in?
the Areopagus
80
according to Aeschylus, trilogy the Oresteia, who founded the Areopagus and why?
Athena founded it to help the Athenians end the revenge killings that plagued the house of Agamemnon
81
where were civic funds kept, and give an example
civic funds were kept in treasuries and sacred buildings. for example, the Parthenon stored stored the money gathered from Athenian allies each year.
82
what does Herodotus tell us about the Spartan kings?
- they were considered to be godlike, as their dual kingship was believed to be derived from Zeus' twin sons, the Dioskouri.
- they were believed to be the descendants of Heracles
- they lead the political structure of Sparta
- they were joint commanders of the Spartan army
83
what does Xenophon tell us about the Spartan kings?
- 'a king by virtue of his divine descent, should perform all the public sacrifices of the city's behalf'
- in return for this, they received the honour, precedence and double portions at all public sacrifices and competitions
- they could consult the oracles whenever they wanted
- they were thought to be the first to receive divine messages through public sacrifices
84
define temenos
a sacred wall that designated the boarders of sanctuaries and separated religion from the secular city
85
what buildings and structures could be found in the Athenian agora?
- the council-house
- the governmental seat
- the altar of the twelve gods
- Temples of Apollo Patroos
- the Hephaistion
86
what was the religious purpose of the Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios?
thanking Zeus for freeing Greece from the Persian invasion of 480
87
what were the civc purposes of the Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios?
- it took the form of a civic building
- it was located on the west side of the agora alongside administrative buildings
88
how often was the Lesser Panathenaia held?
every year
89
how often was the Great Panathenaia held?
every four years
90
what was the propylaia?
the elaborate gateway onto the Athenian Acropolis
91
define pompe
the procession to mark the start of the Great Panathenaia
92
where did the pompe start?
the Dipylon gate on the outskirts of the city
93
what was the Pompeion?
a special building constructed for the Panathenaic procession due to the huge size of the event
94
when in the Pompeion dated to?
400BC
95
give the dimensions of the Pompeion
70 by 35 metres
96
give the route of the Panathenaic procession
it started at the Dipylon Gate, processed through the kerameikos, through the agora, and up to the Acropolis via the Propyleia
97
define kerameikos
an area of the city that contained the ancient cemetery
98
what road was followed during the Panathenaic procession?
the Panathenaic way
99
how wide was the Panathenaic Way?
10 metres wide
100
what was the inspiration for the Parthenon frieze?
the Panathenaic procession
101
what and who is depicted on the Parthenon frieze?
the Panathenaic procession, with gathering horsemen (to represent the aristocracy of Athens), elder citizens, women, animals for sacrifice, and religious objects. it also depicts the climax of the festival, the presentation of the peplos to Athena, which the twelve Olympian gods depicted either side of the presentation scene.
102
on which side of the Parthenon frieze is the presentation of the peplos to Athena depicted?
the central part of the eastern side, the side from which one enters the Parthenon
103
define peplos
a rectangular piece of clothing worn by women, folded down from the neck and belted, and tied or sown at the shoulder to be sleeveless
104
what is the significance of the Panathenaic procession being depicted on the Parthenon frieze?
it was the first time that a scene portraying a real-life event was depicted on a temple, a fact which further highlights just how significant the procession and festival was to the Athenians
105
what was the Panathenaia in celebration of?
the birthday of Athena Polias
106
what was the focal point of the Panathenaia?
the presentation of Athena's birthday gift; a peplos
107
who wove the peplos given to Athena at the Lesser Panathenaia?
the Ergastinai, maidens from aristocratic familes
108
how was the peplos given to Athena at the Lesser Panathenaia decorated?
the saffron-dyed peplos was decorated with a scene showing Athena's duel with and victory over the giant Encelados during the Gigantomachy
109
to which statue was the peplos presented at the Lesser Panathenaia?
the olive-wood cult statue of Athena Polias in the east room of the Erechtheion
110
who wove the larger peplos given to Athena at the Greater Panathenaia?
professional male weavers
111
how was the peplos given to Athena at the Greater Panathenaia decorated?
it showed Athena and Zeus together
112
how was the larger peplos incorporated into the procession during the Greater Panathenaia?
it was used as a sail for a wooden ship rolled up to the Acropolis during the procession
113
why was the larger peplos used as a sail for a wooden ship rolled up to the Acropolis during the Greater Panathenaic procession?
Athens' naval power and strength was also celebrated and associated with the patron goddess
114
to which statue was the larger peplos presented at the Greater Panathenaia?
Pheidias' chryselephantine statue within the Parthenon
115
what did the presentation of the peplos to Athena during the Panathenaia represent and symbolise?
the city's thanks to the goddess for her help and protection. it unified all members of Athenian society in a way that no other festival or occasion did
116
at the Panathenaia, what took place after the presentation of the peplos?
sacrifices were made to Athena
117
what did a civic decree record about the sacrifices to Athena during the Panathenaia, and what year is the decree dated to?
- civic decree was from 335/4
- cattle were bought with rent from the land sacred to Athena
- they were sacrificed on the great altar of Athena on the Acropolis
- the best parts were kept for sacrifice on the altar of Athena Nike
118
what name was given to the maidens who carried the vessels in the Panathenaic procession?
kanephoroi
119
who were given portions of meant on the Acropolis after the sacrifices to Athena in the Panathenaia?
- archons
- treasurer of the goddess
- sacrificial officials
- generals
- Athenians who participated in the procession
- the kanephoroi
120
after the sacrifices made during the Pananthenaia, where did civic officials dine?
special room inside the Pompeion and perhaps also in the Pinakothike in the Propylaia
121
what was the Pinakothike?
the room in the north wing of the Propylaia on the Acropolis
122
at the Panathenaia, where did the distribution of remaining sacrificial meat take place, and who was it given to?
at the Kerameikos, meat was distributed among men of the various Athenian demes who has participated in the procession and sacrifice
123
how were the sacrifices at the Panathenaia funded?
they were either paid for directly by by the city, or by imposing liturgies of rich Athenians and foreign residents
124
what is the political significance of the distribution of sacrificial meat at the Panathenaia?
it reflected the democratic nature of Athens, as all citizens were entitled to a portion at public expense
125
at the Great Panathenaia, when did musical and rhapsodic contests take place?
before the procession and sacrifices, and may have lasted 1-3 days
126
what was recited/sung at the rhapsodic contests during the Great Panathenaia?
Homer's Iliad and Odyssey
127
name two instruments that were played at the musical contests during the Great Panathenaia
the lyre
the aulos
128
what prize was awarded to the winner of the lyre contest in the 4th century Great Panathenaia?
a golden olive crown worth 1000 drachmas
129
what athletic contests took place at the Great Panathenaia?
- running races
- pentathlon
- pankration
130
at the Great Panathenaia, what prize was awarded to the winner of the youth's wrestling?
40 amphorae, worth about 480 drachmas
131
define apobates
literally, 'dismounting'
an equestrian race unique to the Great Panathenaia, in which a charioteer drove a chariot along the Panathenaic Way while a hoplite soldier jumped on and off the chariot
132
define euandrion
literally, 'fine manliness'
a contest judging the most beautiful male figure, who would go on to lead the procession the following day
133
what tribal contests were held at the Great Panathenaia?
the euandrion
the Pyrrhic Dance
134
how were Greek men valued, and to whom were these attributes credited?
kalos (beautiful)
agathos (good)
these attributes were credited to the gods
135
define Pyrrhic dance
a military-inspired event that took place at the Great Panathenaia, which involved groups of 24 men dancing naked with a shield on their left arm and wearing a light helmet
136
what was the religious significance of the Pyrrhic dance at the Great Panathenaia?
it was thought that Athena danced the Pyrrhic dace after her victory over the Giants
137
what prize was awarded to the winner of the Pyrrhic dance contest at the Great Panathenaia?
an ox for sacrifice
138
what was the final contest before the procession and sacrifices at the Great Panathenaia?
the Torch Race
139
give the name of the main harbour in Athens
Piraeus
140
describe the Torch Race competition at the Great Panathenaia
men ran from Piraeus to the Acropolis carrying a burning torch, which they passed to other team members at specific distances. the winner was the team of the man who successfully lit the altar on the Acropolis first.
141
what event at the Great Panathenaia took place after the procession and sacrifices?
the boat race
142
where did the boat race during the Great Panathenaia take place?
the bay of Piraeus
143
which gods were honoured by the boat race at the Great Panathenaia?
Athena and Poseidon, who had rivalled each other for patronage of the city
144
what did a Panathenaic amphora look like?
an amphora with a black-figure image of striding Athena on one side, and an image of the event the competitor won at on the other.
145
what race is depicted on the prescribed Panathenaic amphora?
the dolicos - a running race approximately 3 miles long
