1.5 Rituals and priests

Question 1

describe the relationship between politicians and priests in regards to ritual sacrifice

Answer 1

a civic priest always stood under the responsibility on the local authorities. politicians did not need priests to perform religious activities, but priests were often dependant on a civic representative to perform a public sacrifice

Question 2

what was the role of an oracular priest?

Answer 2

to interpret a deity’s oracles when the city sought a god’s advice

Question 3

what privileges did priests and priestesses have?

Answer 3

• front row seats in the theatre of Dionysus were reserved for particular priesthoods
• the best cuts of sacrificial meat were kept by the priests
• general respect in society

Question 4

what were the three main ways to obtain priesthood?

Answer 4

• through inheritance
• by lot
• through purchase

Question 5

were hereditary priesthoods temporary of lifelong occupations?

Answer 5

lifelong

Question 6

name the two families who held the most famous priesthoods in Greece

Answer 6

the Eumolpidae
the Kerykes

Question 7

which mythological figure did the Eumolpidae trace their lineage to?

Answer 7

king Eumolpos, who was introduced to the Eleusinian Mysteries by Demeter herself

Question 8

which mythological figure did the Kerykes trace their lineage to?

Answer 8

Keryx, the first priest of Demeter at Eleusis

Question 9

which priests were provided by the Eumolpidae family?

Answer 9

hierophants for the Eleusinian mysteries

Question 10

which priests were provided by the Kerykes family?

Answer 10

the dadouchos for the Eleusinian mysteries

Question 11

define dadouchos

Answer 11

‘torch-bearer’

the second most important priest in the Eleusinian mysteries, drawn from the Kerykes family

Question 12

what did a dadouchos wear?

Answer 12

a particular headband with a myrtle wreath and purple robe

Question 13

what was the main duty of a dadouchos?

Answer 13

to provide light for the Eleusinian mysteries

Question 14

from which family did the Priestess of Athena Polias always come from?

Answer 14

the noble family of the Eteoboutadae

Question 15

where can we see the priestess of Athena Polias on the Parthenon ionic frieze?

Answer 15

stood with the archon basileus as he hands the peplos to Athena

Question 16

what were the main roles of the priestess of Athena Polias during the Panathenaia?

Answer 16

• carrying the peplos of Athena during the Panathenaic procession
• leading the Panathenaic procession
• appearing with leading politicians

Question 17

who could sacrifices be performed by?

Answer 17

anyone who had the means and wish to do so, enabling women and slaves to take part

Question 18

what was the main role and purpose of a priest?

Answer 18

they were mediators between humans and the divine, and were necessary for the performance of larger rituals

Question 19

how were sanctuaries important to the financial state of the city?

Answer 19

most sanctuaries served as banks primarily for the state in times of crisis, but also for individuals taking out loans for private matters

Question 20

give an example of a female priesthood allocated by election or lot

Answer 20

the priestess of Athena Nike was elected from all Athenian women and served the position for life

Question 21

give an example of a male priesthood allocated by election or lot

Answer 21

two priests of Asclepius were elected each year (one for the Asclepion in Athens, and one for the sanctuary at Piraeus). from the 3rd century BC however, they were selected by lot from each tribe in turn.

Question 22

what were the main animal species slaughtered for sacrifice?

Answer 22

• sheep
• goats
• pigs
• cattle

Question 23

how much money did a piglet cost?

Answer 23

3 drachmas

Question 24

how much money did a sheep or goat cost?

Answer 24

12 drachmas

Question 25

how much money did an adult pig cost?

Answer 25

20 drachmas

Question 26

how much money did a cow/ox cost?

Answer 26

80 drachmas

Question 27

what was the daily wage of a skilled worker?

Answer 27

1 drachma

Question 28

what was the daily wage of an unskilled worker?

Answer 28

2 obols

Question 29

what animals were sacrificed at the Thesmophoria?

Answer 29

piglets

Question 30

what animals were sacrificed at the Eleusinian Mysteries?

Answer 30

piglets

Question 31

what did an original hecatomb consist of?

Answer 31

the slaughter of a hundred oxen

Question 32

what did later hecatombs consist of?

Answer 32

the slaughter of a dozen oxen

Question 33

where did sacrifices take place?

Answer 33

on an altar outside a temple or shrine

Question 34

what did the preparation for a sacrifice consist of?

Answer 34

- the sacrificial animal was decorated - the animal was led to the altar as part of a procession - participants cleansed their hands and took a handful of barley grain from a basket - the sacrificial animal had water sprinkled on their head to force a nod of agreement - the main sacrificer cut a strand of hair from the sacrificial victim and put it on the altar - the fire was lit - a prayer was said which expressed the desired outcome - participants thre their handfuls of barley forward

Question 35

how were animal killed in a sacrifice?

Answer 35

- larger animals were first stunned by a blow from an axe - the main sacrificer cut the animal's throat with a knife - women chanted the ololyge (ritual cry) - the alar was bloodied by holding the animal over it or catching the blood in a bowl and pouring it on the altar

Question 36

how was sacrificial meat handled?

Answer 36

- the deity's portion was taken away and burned on an altar - entrails were roasted on spits over the fire and shared among worshippers - remaining meat was cooked and shared among participants

Question 37

how were omens read during a sacrifice?

Answer 37

following a manual, omens were read from the burning of the god's portion and the condition of the entrails

Question 38

what liquids were poured as libation?

Answer 38

- water - wine - milk - honey

Question 39

give an example of libations being poured upon arriving on land

Answer 39

upon arrival in Colchis, the Argonauts pour libations of honey and wine to Earth, the gods of the land, and the souls of dead heroes

Question 40

define chthonic deities

Answer 40

deities of the underworld

Question 41

define megaron

Answer 41

an underground chamber for ritual offerings

Question 42

give an example of ritual burial in festivals

Answer 42

in the Thesmophoria, women buried piglets in megarons, which were then unearthed the following year to be used as fertiliser

Question 43

give an example of ritual burials in sanctuaries

Answer 43

because sanctuaries were so crowed with votive offerings and objects dedicated to the gods, an annual or biannual clearance of the sanctuary was required, where objects were either stored in separate treasuries or buried ritually (depending on their size and value)

Question 44

when/for what purpose were votive offerings given to the gods?

Answer 44

- to thank the god for favouring them in some way - to guarantee favour of the gods in the future

Question 45

what votive offerings did children give on becoming adolescents?

Answer 45

- toys - lock of hair from their first haircut

Question 46

what votive offerings did craftsmen make when retiring?

Answer 46

their tools

Question 47

what votive offerings did prize winners and successful warriors give after a victory?

Answer 47

- their prize - the weapons that helped them achieve the victory

Question 48

where were votive offerings kept?

Answer 48

in the sanctuary

Question 49

give an example of someone who dedicated a temple as a votive offering

Answer 49

Themistocles built the temple of Artemis Aristoboule as a votive offering after his victory over the Persians