Death and Burial, 1.7, Rome Flashcards
Where were wealthy people buried and why?
In tombs along roads that led to the city, so passers-by could pay their respects
Describe funeral clubs
Pay monthly to join club. Meet for meals and gatherings to make social connections. Workers of the same trade usually set up funeral clubs. Club payed for the funeral and provided mourners. In larger clubs, members may be buried in a club tomb.
Definition of Manes
Meaning “the deified ancestors,” these were the spirits of the dead in the Roman world
Definition of funeral mask
A mask made by placing wax on the deceased’s face to take their image. When it was dry, it was taken off and stored in the family shrine.
Definition of atrium
The main room of the Roman domus where the family received friends and clients
Definition of funeral club
A social club set up to support the less wealthy members of Roman society
Describe the death
Relative captures last breath of person with a kiss. Those present call out deceased name, or done ceremonially afterwards in no one there.
Describe the laying out of the body.
Body washed and perfumed and dressed in finest clothes. Coin placed on mouth. Placed in atrium for eight days if wealthy for friends and family to pay respects. Women lament while beating chests.
Describe the funerary procession
Took place eight days after death including flute and horn players, deceased family, slaves and freedmen. Family wears wax funerary masks of ancestors to symbolise acceptance of deceased into afterlife by ancestors. Professional mourners payed by small wealthy families. Pay for actors to mimic the deceased as they were in life.
Describe the burial of the body
Buried or cremated outside city. Wealth determined size of tomb. Wanted tomb to stand out, so avoided uniformity. Dead could be placed in elaborately carved sarcophagi.
Describe the remembrance
Marble bust made and placed in house. Deceased turned into Manes and needed to be fed, so family left food and wine offerings at tomb.
When was Parentalia? What was not allowed on it?
Between 13th and 21st February. Temples closed, no marriages, no official business.
What happened on the first day of Parentalia?
A sacrifice by a vestal virgin
What happened in Parentalia?
Offerings taken to tombs of the dead during first eight days. Family met and shared meal in home on ninth, giving them an opportunity to right and wrongs that had taken place.
When was Lemuria? What were the restrictions?
May 9th, 11th, 13th. No official business, no marriages, temples closed.
