Piety Flashcards
(8 cards)
How does Aristophanes present Spartan piety in Lysistrata?
“By the Twa Gods”
What are the two priesthoods Spartan Kings have? [Herodotus]
- Zeus Lacedaemon
- Zeus Uranius
What do the kings of Sparta receive as part of their religious authority? [Herodotus]
“The hides of all animals offered in sacrifice”
What role do kings play in relation to the Pythians? [Herodotus]
“Kings appoint the Pythians who get prophecies from Delphi”
Can be used to manipulate for desirable outcome
What significant event did the Spartans consult Delphi about after voting for war in 432? According to Thuc
They asked if the God thinks they ought to go to war
They used delphic approval to justify
What was the Carneia, and how did it affect Spartan participation in the Battle of Marathon? [Herodotus]
A religious festival that stopped them from joining
According to Herodotus, the Carneia might have been a reason for Spartan non-participation, although there were also claims of a helot revolt.
What is the Great Rhetra and its significance in Spartan political constitution?
Ratified by Gods, with kings descended from Herakles
The Great Rhetra serves as a foundational legal document for Sparta, emphasizing the divine sanction of its laws.
What did Lykourgos do to ensure his rules and laws would benefit Sparta? [Xen]
Lykourgos went to Delphi to check if his rules and laws would benefit Sparta to make it “not merely illegal but sacrilegious” to disobey
