1.4 Places of worship Flashcards
(159 cards)
1
Q
on what natural formation was the Acropolis built on?
A
an outcrop
2
Q
in what year was the pre-Parthenon temple on the Acropolis destroyed, and who destroyed it?
A
in 480BC, the Persians destroyed the pre-Parthenon when invading Attica
3
Q
what was the oath of Plataea?
A
an oath sworn by the Athenians to not rebuild the sanctuaries destroyed by the Persians so that they acted as an eternal reminder of barbaric impiety
4
Q
who commissioned the reconstruction of the Acropolis?
A
Pericles
5
Q
when did the reconstruction of the Acropolis begin?
A
the second half of the 5th century BC
6
Q
what is the significance of the Athenian Acropolis?
A
it was a key religious site in Attica, and was important for the whole of Greece
7
Q
what festivals were held in the Athenian Acropolis?
A
- Panathenaia
- Plynteria
8
Q
what buildings were erected during the reconstruction of the Athenian Acropolis?
A
- Parthenon
- Propylaia
- temple of Athena Nike
- Erectheion
9
Q
when was the Parthenon rebuilt?
A
between 447-432
10
Q
who created the chryselephantine statue of Athena?
A
Pheidias
11
Q
define pediment
A
the triangular space at the front and back of a building which could be sculpted
12
Q
define doric frieze
A
a sculpted frieze made up of alternating rectangular metopes and triglyphs
13
Q
define ionic frieze
A
a sculpted frieze on a continuous area
14
Q
On the chryselephantine statue of Athena, what is depicted on the outer side of the shield?
A
The Amazonmachy
15
Q
On the chryselephantine statue of Athena, what is depicted on the inner side of the shield?
A
The Gigantomachy
16
Q
On the chryselephantine statue of Athena, what is depicted on the golden sandals?
A
The Centauromachy
17
Q
What was depicted on the east pediment of the Parthenon?
A
The birth of Athena
18
Q
what was depicted on the west pediment of the Parthenon?
A
the contest between Athena and Poseidon for patronage of Athens
19
Q
what was depicted on the doric frieze/metopes of the Parthenon?
A
a series of mythical battles where order and civilisation won against chaos and barbarity
- Gigantomachy
- Centauromachy
- Amazonomachy
- Trojan War
20
Q
in what style was the Parthenon built?
A
Doric but with Ionic elements
21
Q
how many columns does the Parthenon have?
A
8x17
22
Q
in what style was the Temple of Athena Nike on the Acropolis built?
A
ionic style
23
Q
what is the significance of the direction in which the Temple of Athena Nike faces on the Acropolis?
A
it faces the ocean, overlooking the site where Athens defeated the Persians in the battle of Salamis
24
Q
was there an altar attached to the Parthenon?
A
no
25
according to inscriptions, what was stored inside the Parthenon?
large amounts of gold and silver objects
26
during which war was gold 'borrowed' from the shoulder of the chryselephantine statue of Athena to help fund the battle?
the fight against Sparta in the Peloponnesian wars
27
what was the most sacred spot on the Acropolis?
the Erechtheion
28
whose grave was housed in the Erechteion?
King Kekrops - a mythical king of Athens who had the head of a man but the body of a snake
29
who was the Erechtheion dedicated to?
Erechtheios
30
what style was the Erechtheion build in?
ionic style
31
define caryatid
a female figure used in place of a column to support an architectural structure
32
on which side of the Erechtheion did the caryatids stand?
the south porch, meaning they faced the Parthenon
33
what animal was housed in the Erechtheion and why?
a serpent that represented king Kekrops
34
according to Plutarch's 'Parallel Lives', what was interpreted by a priestess as a sign to evacuate the city?
the snake in the Erechtheion had not eaten the monthly honey-cake offering, which was interpreted by a priestess as a sign to evacuate the city because the goddess had already abandoned the Acropolis
35
what was the Plynteria?
an annual cleansing festival in honour of Athena and Aglauros
36
what took place during the Plynteria?
the statue of Athena in the Erechtheion was cleaned by the priestesses
37
where were omens read in the Erechtheion?
on the altar on the north porch
38
how often did the Pythian Games take place?
every four years
39
which god was predominantly worshipped at the Panhellenic sanctuary at Delphi?
Apollo
40
which god was also associated with the Panhellenic sanctuary at Delphi?
Dionysus
41
who occupied Delphi for three winter months?
Dionysus
42
where did Apollo go in the three winter months he did not occupy Delphi?
he went to live with the Hyperboreans, a mythical people who lived at the very edges of the world
43
define Pythia
the priestess who spoke the oracle at Delphi who was selected from the best and most valued families in Delphi and had to lead a life of chastity ad exercise once chosen
44
who ran the sanctuary at Delphi?
the Amphictyonic league - a local association of Greeks
45
give an example of bribery that occurred at the Delphic Oracle
Herodotus writes in the late 6th century BC that the Alcmaeonids (a noble Athenian family) 'bribed the Pythian priestess to bid any Spartans ... to set Athens free'
46
define peribolos
the sacred land in sanctuaries that was distinguished from the profane by a wall or boundary stones
47
what did the gymnasium in the sanctuary at Delphi contain?
- covered running track
- outdoor running track
- Roman baths
- washing pool
- palaestra
48
what was the Sacred Way?
the path leading worshippers from the entrance of the sanctuary at Delphi up to the Temple of Apollo
49
what myth explained the origins for the sanctuary at Delphi?
Zeus sent two eagles in opposite directions. they met over Delphi, which was therefore known as the centre of the world, and contained the omphalos
50
when does the sanctuary at Delphi date to?
6th century BC
51
what stands at the front of the Temple of Apollo in the sanctuary at Delphi?
an enormous altar
52
who dedicated the altar to the Temple of Apollo at the sanctuary at Delphi, and what privilege did this give them?
the Chios family, awarding them promanteia (being able to consult the oracle first)
53
how many columns were on each side of the Temple of Apollo at the sanctuary at Delphi?
6x15
54
define adyton
the 'forbidden room' at the back of a temple behind the naos
55
in what room did the Pythia speak the oracle?
the adyton
56
define naos
the main room of the temple where the god's image was kept
57
define omphalos
belly button
58
what is believed to have been inside the naos in the Temple of Apollo at the sanctuary at Delphi?
- a stone omphalos
- wooden statue of Apollo
- gold statue of Apollo
- laurel tree
59
what inscriptions could be found in the Temple of Apollo at the sanctuary at Delphi?
'know thyself'
'nothing in excess'
60
what was depicted on the east pediment on the Temple of Apollo at the sanctuary at Delphi?
the arrival of Apollo by chariot with the gods beside him, while lions eat other animals in the corners
61
what did the west pediment on the Temple of Apollo at the sanctuary at Delphi likely depict?
the Gigantomachy with Zeus in the centre
62
define treasury
a building with the same appearance and architectural orders at temples, set up by city-states to house religious dedications and act as a religious offering in itself
63
on what mountain was the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi constructed?
Mount Parnassus
64
after which military success did Athens erect a treasury at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi?
the victory against the Persians at the Battle of Marathon in 490BC
65
after which military success did Sparta erect a treasury at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi, and where was it located along the Sacred Way?
after their victory over Athens at the end of the Peloponnesian Wars, they erected a treasury directly opposite the Athenian treasury
66
describe the Spartan treasury at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi
a group of 38 statues in two rows in honour of Apollo. it visually dominated the area, but most significantly the Athenian treasury opposite, as it was three times larger
67
where in the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi was the Serpent Column located?
beside the altar in front of the Temple of Apollo
68
who dedicated the Serpent Column at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi, and why did they give it?
Greek city-states joined forces during the 5th century to fight against Xerxes' Persian invasion of Greece, and eventually won after the final land battle - the Battle of Plataea - in 479, so erected the Serpent Column at Delphi to thank Apollo for his guidance and their success
69
describe the Serpent Column at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi
- nine metres tall
- three bronze serpents coiled together into a column
- gold tripod on top
- names of the thirty-one Greek cities involved in the fight against Persia inscribed on the monument
70
what does the Serpent Column at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi represent?
- serpents represent Pytho, who was killed by Apollo
- tripod reflects tripod sat on by the Pythia
71
what is the significance of having the names of the Greek cities who fought against Persia inscribed on the Serpent Column at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi?
it demonstrates unity and common worship, whilst also shaming and exposing the cities who did not join the resistance against the Persians - many of whom were part of the Amphiktyonic League
72
describe location and appearance of the Siphnian treasury at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi
- left side of the pathway leading to the Temple of Apollo
- made of three types of marble
- two caryatids at the entrance
- pediment above the entrance depicts Heracles trying to steal Apollo's tripod
73
describe the location of the Athenian treasury at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi, and what benefits this may have had
- at a sharp turning point of the Sacred Way
- so many worshippers were likely to pass it
- and even stop to rest before the next part of the ascent
74
describe the appearance of the Athenian treasury at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi
- made entirely from marble
- is the first example of a doric treasury made of marble
- 12 metopes depicting the labours of Theseus
- 18 metopes depicting the labours of Heracles
75
where did visitors of Delphi wait to see the Pythia?
the stoa set up by the Athenians
76
define temenos
a piece of land marked off for specific religious usage
77
what was the original capacity of the theatre at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi?
35 rows of seats to fit 5000 people
78
when was the theatre at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi built?
4th century BC
79
describe the festival that took place at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi before the Pythian Games were introduced
- Pythian festival
- held every eight years
- one contest
- competitors would sing a hymn to Apollo, accompanied by the kithara
80
when was the first recorded Pythian Games?
582BC
81
what musical contests took place at the Pythian Games?
- singing accompanied by the kithara
- playing the kithara
- flaying the flute
82
when was the stadium at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi originally built, and when was it reconstructed?
- first built in 5th century BC
- restored in 2nd century AD
83
how long was the running track at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi?
177.5 metres
84
what was the capacity of the stadium at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi?
6500 people
85
what does an inscription at the entrance of the stadium at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi forbid visitors from doing?
it forbids the removal of sacrificial wine out of the stadium
86
when could the Pythia be consulted?
the first day of the month for nine months
87
what alternative consultation could be offered to those who could not be consulted by the Pythia, and just needed a yes or no answer?
- a 'lot oracle'
- in the Corycian Cave above Delphi
- pose your question and cast black-and-white dice
- receive a yes or no answer
88
what religious rituals did the Pythia practice on the first day of every month?
- purify herself
- perform offerings to Apollo
89
how did the priests at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi determine if divine consultation could proceed?
- sprinkle water on the head of a goat
- if it shuddered, Apollo consented to the consultation
- goat was then sacrificed on the altar of Apollo outside the temple to show the oracle could be consulted
90
define promanteia
the right to consult the oracle first
91
what payment did worshippers have to make before consulting the Pythia at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi?
- a pelanos
- (small sacrificial cake to be burned on the altar)
92
how was the payment made to the Pythia determined for each consultation?
- if consultation was for a state or individual
- what city the worshipper came from (eg Athenians had to pay more because their city was wealthy)
- if worshipper had made previous donations to the temple (eg King Croesus of Lydia didn't have to pay at all because he had made so many extravagant offerings to the sanctuary)
93
could women consult the Pythia at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi?
no, only men could consult the oracle
94
describe the process of consulting the Pythia at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi
- wait for your turn
- enter the temple
- makes a sacrifice
- enter where Pythia is waiting
- receive a response from the oracle
95
describe the theories on how the Pythia became the mouthpiece of Apollo and gave oracular readings to consultants
- chewing on laurel leaves to reach a state of ecstasy
- inhaling vapours emanating from geological fault lines beneath the temple
- giving answers in the form of incoherent noises and words that a priest then deciphered
- giving responses in the form of comprehensible and clear answers
96
when is the Kylix depicting a consultation of the Pythia dated to?
440-430BC
97
what style is the kylix depicting a consultation of the Pythia?
red figure
98
which artist made the kylix depicting a consultation of the Pythia?
the Kodros painter
99
what does the Pythia sit on in the kylix depicting a consultation of the Pythia?
a bronze tripod
100
what does the Pythia hold in the kylix depicting a consultation of the Pythia?
laurel leaves and a libation bowl
101
in the kylix depicting a consultation of the Pythia, what is the Pythia depicted wearing, and what is the significance of this?
her head and entire body are covered to show her modesty and respectability
102
in the kylix depicting a consultation of the Pythia, where does the scene seem to take place, and how do we know this?
the column in the background suggests they are inside - likely in the adyton of the temple
103
in the kylix depicting a consultation of the Pythia, what does the man wear on his head, and what does this show?
he wears a wreath of laurel leaves as a sign of honour to Apollo
104
how is the kylix depicting a consultation of the Pythia unreliable in showing how the Pythia was consulted?
- she looks peaceful and calm, which does not correspond with the idea of her being mad and raving
- not certain if the man before her is a consultant or a priest of Apollo
- does not show how her oracular responses were given
105
summarise three factors as to why the Greeks consulted and believed the readings of the Pythia at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi
- the great economic, physical, and time cost for worshippers to consult the oracle suggests they genuinely trusted the advice they received
- the long journey to consult the Pythia would have given visitors time to think about the dilemma themselves, and discuss their problem with strangers they met along the way
- state queries may have benefitted from the presence of people from all over the world, as they might have experience in the issue they are facing (such as having fought the same army before so can give advice)
106
what does Xenephon write about the power and presence of the gods?
'omniscient and omnipotent gods'
107
what does Xenephon say about how the gods support him?
'because of their concern for me, i am never beyond their notice night or day'
108
what does Xenephon say about the advice given by the gods?
'when i obey these, i am never sorry for it, by when i have sometimes disobeyed in the past, i have been punished for it'
109
when does the site of Olympia date to?
6th century BC
110
who had authority over Olympia?
a city called Elis
111
who provided the priests and officials for the Olympic Games?
the Eleans (people of Elis)
112
where did the procession before the Olympic Games start, and what is the significance of this?
it started in Elis to mark their influence and authority over the sanctuary
113
define Altis
the temenos at Olympia (the area that housed the most sacred buildings)
114
when was the Temple of Zeus at Olympia built?
456BC
115
what type of statue stood inside the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, and who created it?
a chryselephantine statue of Zeus made by Pheidias
116
what was depicted on the east pediment of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia?
the chariot race between Pelops (Zeus' grandson) and Oinomaos, with Zeus stood in the centre, and personifications of the two main rivers in Olympia (Kladeos and Alpheios) in the two far corners of the pediment
117
what is the significance of the scene depicted on the east pediment on the Temple of Zeus at Olympia?
- the myth is relevant to Zeus because he is god of Justice (so is involved in competitions), and is Pelops' grandfather
- it is relevant to Olympia because it was the founding myth to the Olympic Games
- the presence of the two rivers brings the mythical scene closer to the setting of the temple
118
what was depicted on the west pediment of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia?
the Centauromachy - a mythical battle between the centaurs and Lapiths, with Apollo stood in the centre
119
what is the significance of the scene depicted on the west pediment on the Temple of Zeus at Olympia?
- the Centauromachy symbolises the victory of civilisation (the Lapiths) over barbarity (the centaurs)
- the presence of Apollo represents justice and order
120
what was depicted on the metopes on the Temple of Zeus at Olympia?
the twelve labours of Heracles, aided by Athena
121
how was Zeus portrayed/posed in the chryselephantine statue in the Temple of Zeus at Olympia?
- seated on a golden throne
- holding a sceptre in his left hand with an eagle on top
- holding a statue of Nike in his right hand
122
when could visitors of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia worship and admire the chryselephantine statue of Zeus?
during the Olympic Games
123
what myth explains the origins of the ash altar at Olympia?
Zeus hurled a lightning bolt from Mount Olympus, and the ash altar was erected where it struck the ground
124
from which date did the ash altar at Olympia exist?
10th century BC
125
what was the ash altar at Olympia originally made of?
ashes from sacrifices mixed with water from the local river, the Alpheios
126
how was the ash altar at Olympia developed, and when did this happen?
by the 1st century AD, the ash altar consisted of a large stone base with ashes piled on top, making it almost seven metres high
127
what sacrifices were made on the ash altar at Olympia, and how often were they performed?
sacrifices were made every day, but during the Olympic Games, a hecatomb was performed
128
how many treasuries were at Olympia?
twelve
129
where were the treasuries at Olympia located?
on the terrace below the hill of Mount Kronos
130
who were the treasuries at Olympia dedicated by?
all but two are dedicated by city-states outside the Greek mainland, with three from Sicily, and two from southern Italy
131
what stood in front of the treasuries at Olympia?
a series of bronze statues known as the zanes
132
what were the zanes, and what was their purpose?
- a series of bronze statues of Zeus
- stood in front of the treasuries at Olympia
- depicted Zeus about to throw his thunderbolt
- they were paid for with the fines imposed on athletes who had cheated in the games
- their purpose was to warn athletes against cheating
- they acted as visual reminders of the oaths sworn by athletes and judges to Zeus Horkios to not cheat and to judge fairly, as they walked past the statues when approaching the stadium
133
where is the Echo Stoa located at Olympia, and what effect does this have?
between the Temple of Zeus and the stadium, so forms the eastern boundary of the Altis
134
why was the Echo Stoa at Olympia given this name?
it was believed that a single word could echo seven times within it
135
what other name was given to the Echo Stoa at Olympia, and why?
it was also called the Stoa Poikile (the Painted Stoa) because of the paintings that decorated the inside
136
when does the Echo Stoa at Olympia date to?
4th century BC
137
how long was the Echo Stoa at Olympia?
almost 100 metres long
138
what Olympic event was held in the Echo Stoa?
the competitions for trumpeters and heralds
139
what event took place on day one of the Olympic Games, and where was it held?
the competitions for trumpeters and heralds were held in the Echo Stoa
140
what privileges were awarded to the winners of the trumpet and herald contests at the Olympic Games?
they would be the official trumpeter and the official herald for the rest of the festival
141
who won the herald contest at the Olympic Games ten consecutive times?
Herodotus of Megara
142
where was the stadium at Olympia located?
just outside the temenos boundary on the north-east side of the sanctuary
143
how did athletes enter the stadium during the Olympic Games, and what effect did this have?
they emerged through a vaulted tunnel, making for a highly dramatic entrance
144
how were the running races at the Olympic Games reflective of the religious nature of the festival and site?
- running races always finished facing the Altis to show athletes' dedication to Zeus
- the stadium was 192 metres long to match the length ran by Heracles in a single breath
- the stadium was 600 Olympic feet, measured by Heracles' feet
145
when was the stadium at Olympia originally built, and when was it refurbished?
it was first built in 560 BC, and later refurbished in the mid 4th century BC
146
what was the capacity of the stadium at Olympia?
between 40,000-45,000 spectators
147
where did ordinary spectators sit in the stadium at Olympia?
on the foothills of Mount Kronos, either side of the track
148
who had reserved seats in the stadium at Olympia, and where were they?
judges and the priestess of Demeter Chamyne sat on a specially assigned platform on the southern edge of the track
149
when were the Olympic Games founded?
776BC
150
how many days did the Olympic Games last for?
fifty days
151
what religious activity could visitors of the Olympic Games take part in apart from sacrifices?
consulting the oracle of Zeus
152
how were the Olympic Games a way to assert one's Greek identity?
only Greeks could compete
153
what style was the Temple of Zeus at Olympia?
Doric style
154
how many columns did the Temple of Zeus at Olympia have?
6x13
155
what was the largest temple in mainland Greece?
the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, until the Parthenon was built
156
when did the Temple of Hera at Olympia date to?
6th century BC
157
what was housed inside the Temple of Hera at Olympia?
the Disk of Iphitus, which had the sacred truce made during each Olympic Games inscribed on it
158
what statue stands 30 metres from the south-eastern corner of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, and what is its significance?
- statue of Nike Paionios
- acts as a reminder of the martial side of Zeus' cult
- given by the Messenians and Naupaktians after their victory in the tenth year of the Peloponnesian war in 421BC
159
what fact highlights the extreme and wide-spread importance of the Olympic Games?
time was measured by Olympiads - the four year interval between each Olympic Games
