greek and roman death and burial Flashcards
(45 cards)
what is prothesis?
during the preparation of the body in the greek world, the deceased would be laid out for 2 days to receive mourners
what does it mean to lament?
a passionate expression of greif or sorrow
what is an ekphora?
the funeral procession = in ancient greecew
what si the krameikos?
an areea of Athens that included the main burial ground outside the city
what was so important to the greeks?
death was particulaerly important. Regardless of social status or wealth, they recieved a proper burial and were treated with respect
what happened in greece once someoone had died? Preparation!
- eyes and mouth closed
- body washed, parfumed, and wrapped in a long white shroud
- a coin would be placed in the deceased’s mouth. ( for Charon)
what happened after the body was prepares in ancient greece?
- a prothesis, or laying out took plce. This lasted 2 days and gave the friends and fmaily a chance to pay respoects
- a death was polluting, so a bowl of watr was left out side so people could wash themselves
- women lament - the cut their hair, wear shabby black clothing, waiil beside the deceased, beat chests, wave arms
when was the funery procession? (greecd)
before dawn on the 3rd day
what was the funery procession? (Greece)
ekphora - walk from house to burial ground
Depending on the wealth of the family, and the distance traveled this would be done either by carrying or using a wagon or carried by pallbearers
It included the entire family
where was the burial place of the body and why (Greece)?
it was vital that the final resting place of the deceased was outside of the body to remove the chance of religious pollution. It was also there to reduce the spread of any disease
what was the name of the main burial ground outside of the city? (Greece)
Keramaikos - an area outside the nortthwest wasllls of the citry
how was the body buried (ie.g., cremation, body?) (Greece)
either buried or cremated. Ina cremation, a pyre would be built and the deceased placed on top. It would then be lit. After the body had burned, the ash would be collected in an urn and given to the family. Thius would be then poalced into a shrine or grave
what would the family do to assist the deceased in their journey to the underworld? (Greece)
coin for charon
burial gifts e.g., an item that was important to the deceased in life or food for their journey
who is charon?
the boatman who ferried the dead from the land of the living to the underworld
what woudl eb set up for the deceased by the family? depending on wealth (Greece)
stele - tone slaps often with patterns carved on them most ocmmonly used as tomb stones
they may have paid a sculptor to carve something in relief that eefelcted the deceased in life - a commemoration of deceased and display of welath and styatus
what was the final thing to take place after the burial? (Greece)
the sacrifice
how did the burial sacrifice differ from the normal file? (Greece)
the blood of the victim in the sacrifice woudl be released on the earth as an offering to Persephone and Hades
how did the Greeks maintain respect for the Greeks?
once the deceased had been buried, a period of mourning began that lasted for 30 days. There were 3 days in which the family were obliged to visit the deceased.
the third day, 9th, 13th
then the family would visit the grave on an annual basis
what is Anthesteria?
a Greek festival to Dionysus and the dead held over 3 days in late January or early February
what is Genesia?
a Greek festival to the ancestors celebrated in late September
what was the Anthestria? WHat did it celebrate? Who?
It took place in late January and lasted 3 days. it celebrated the maturing of wine and was held in honour of Dionysus.
on the first day it was believed to be a day when the dead rose from the underworld and roamed the earth. During the day, the wine from the previous year was opened and libations were poured to Dionysus.
On the second day, groups would gather for drinking contests and families would pour libations on the graves of their ancestors.
The final day was dedicated to the dead - families woudl make offerings to the God Hermes, as he was the only god, along with Dionysus, who could travel into the underworld. Unlike normal offerings, the living were allowed to eat any food.
The ceremony marked the period that the dead had to leave Atherns and return to the uncderworld
what is another rgreek festival celebrating the dead?
genesia
when was genesi, what did it celebratw?
it took place in late September. During the day, the Athenians would decorate the graves od the deceased with ribbons and offer food and blood sacrifice in honour of all their dead ancestors
wherre did the ROmans place their dead?
outside the city - remove religous pollution and reduce risk of disease + remove religiour pollution. In roman towns, they wealthy buried in the tombs along the roads that eld into the city or town, which allowed passers- by to pay their respects
