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Greek Religion > Places of Worship > Flashcards

Places of Worship Flashcards

1
Q

What was the Acropolis?

A

religious heart of Athens

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2
Q

Why was the Acropolis chosen?

A

easiest place to defend

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3
Q

votive offerings at the Acropolis

A

left from 6th century

mainly to patron goddess Athena

marked as either offerings of thanks or hope protection and goodwill - religious nature of the space

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4
Q

What was on the Acropolis?

A

Temple (pre-Parthenon which the Persians destoryed in 480)

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5
Q

Who rebuilt the Parthenon?

A

Pericles in second half of 5th century

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6
Q

What dates to the 5th century?

A
  • Parthenon
  • Propylaia
  • temple of Athena Nike
  • Erechtheion
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7
Q

When was Parthenon built?

A

built between 477-432 and was made entirely out of marble

housed overwhelming number of sculptures

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8
Q

What was sculpted on the Parthenon?

A

pediements

Doric frieze (metopes)

Ionic frieze sculpted

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9
Q

What was inside the Parthenon?

A

Pheidias’ chryselephantine statue of Athena

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10
Q

Myths present on the Parthenon?

A

relate to each

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11
Q

Doric friezes designs

A

Gigantomachy - Gods vs. Giants/Titans

Cenaturomachy - Lapiths vs. Cenaturs (half man-half horse)

Amazonomachy - Men (Amazonian women)

Trojan War - Greeks vs. Trojans

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12
Q

What do the Doric friezes mean?

A

civilisation vs barbarians

power of the gods (particually Athena)

gods and heroic groups have fought and brought about the current state of the world

represents further reason why gods should be worshiped, because the gods helped to bring about and the end of these offences

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13
Q

Statue of Athena Parthenos myths

A

inside the Parthenon

depicted these myths:

  • outer sheild = Amazonomachy
  • inside shiled = Gigantomachy

-golden sandals = Centauromachy

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14
Q

What did the pediments of the Parthenon depict?

A

East pediment = birth of Athena

West pediment = contest between Athena and Posiedon for patronage of Athens

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15
Q

Significance of the Parthenon pediments

A

portray divine scenes related specifically to patron goddess Athena

birth celebrates her origins

contest celebrates why she is patron god of Athens

both myths are crucial to her worship and authority in the city

Athena = fought in Gigantomachy and helped Greek heroes like Achilles at Ttroy - can be directly thanked for civilisation that Doric frieze celebrates (she is also worshiped in the Panathenaic procession)

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16
Q

Ionic frieze

A

depiction of Panathenaic procession shows mortals worshipping Athena

all sections of society have agthered and are united to celebrate her

as they honour her, they reval in their city’s democratic nature as well as its strength and piety

attendence of the gods shows the reciprocal relationship between gods and mortals who in turn grant favour and protection to them

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17
Q

Purpose of the Parthenon

A

did not have purely a religious purpose

archaeologists have not identified an altar nor did Athena Parthenos have a priestess until decades after the building was erected

inscriptions record that large amounts of gold and silver objects were stored inside the Parthenon and the gold used to decorate the chryselephantine statue of Athena was removable and could be ‘borrowed’ (part of the gold on her shoulder was taken when the Athenians were running out of money in fight against fighting during Peloponnesian wars)

appears that Parthenon functioned somewhat as a treasury or bank

distinction between religious and political and civic aspects of life is problematic - goddess provided even economic support at different times

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18
Q

The Erechtheion

A

marked the most sacred spot on Acropolis

here that Athena and Posiedon allegedly competed for patronage of city

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19
Q

Which grave did the Erechtheion house?

A

King Kekrops, a mythical king of Athens, who had the head of a man but the body of a snake

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20
Q

What was the Erechtheion dedicated?

A

dedicated to Erechtheus, only semi-offspring of Athena and an Athenian hero whom all Athenians claimed to be descent from

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21
Q

Architecture of Erechtheion

A

uneven terrain and sacred site

-> architecture unlike any other as architects had to ensure the structure accomodated space for each deity and hero as well as altars for each, dictating the size and layout of the various rooms

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22
Q

What was on the south porch of the Erechtheion?

A

facing the Parthenon
-> six caryatids, statues of females that acted as columns

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23
Q

What was believed to live in the Erechtheion

A

A serpent - representation of Kekrops himself

before the Persian Wars, before the Erechtheion was built, the attack on Athens was imminent and the Athenians were evacuating the city as the goddess had already abandoned the Acropolis

inhabitants were omens themselves

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24
Q

What ancient rites was the temple used for?

A

Plynteria - cleansing festivals

Annual Panathenaia

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25
Q

Plynteria

A

annual fesitval in honour of Athena and Aglauros, a heroine who also had a sanctuary on the foothills of the Acropolis

festival lasted several days during which temples were closed and business ceased

Temple of Athena was surronded by rope and no one could enter so that the priestesses could clean her statue properly (goddess hidden - believed she was absent during these days)

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26
Q

Erechtheion and Panathenaia

A

destination of procession as peplos was presented to oliva statue of Athena Polias

omens taken at altar in north porch

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27
Q

Who was the god worshiped at Delphi?

A

Apollo was the predominant god worshhipped at the Panhellenic sanctuary

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28
Q

Who occupied Delphi when Apollo was not there?

A

Dionysus said to have occupied when Apollo went to live with the Hyperboreans (mythical people at the edge of the world)

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29
Q

Who occupied Delphi when Apollo was not there?

A

Dionysus said to have occupied when Apollo went to live with the Hyperboreans (mythical people at the edge of the world)

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30
Q

What was Delphi renowned for?

A

Oracle as well as for theatrical and athletic events

Pythian Games (every 4 years)

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31
Q

Role of the Delphians

A

provided personnel for the oracle (Pythia and the priests)

local Delphians had limited control over the sanctuary and the oracle

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32
Q

How many people lived in Delphi?

A

small community of around 1000 inhabitants

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33
Q

Who ran the sanctuary at Delphi?

A

Amphictyonic League (local association of Greeks)

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34
Q

Key feature of the oracle at Delphi

A

neutral

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35
Q

Why did the oracle at Delphi have to be as neutral as possible?

A

Panhellenic sanctuary where people from all over Greek-speaking world came to - all had a right to gather and worship

source of infomation and guidance for a variety of personal and politicial decisions - needed to be neutral

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35
Q

Why did the oracle at Delphi have to be as neutral as possible?

A

Panhellenic sanctuary where people from all over Greek-speaking world came to - all had a right to gather and worship

source of infomation and guidance for a variety of personal and politicial decisions - needed to be neutral

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36
Q

Cases of bribery at Delphi

A

end of 6th century, Herodotus suggests that a noble Athenian family, the Alcmaeonids, had ‘bribed the Pythian priestess to bid any Spartans who should come to inquire of her on a private or a public account to set Athens free’

-> seemed to be isolated incidents and through Delphi’s history it was only accused of bribery a handful of times (without its reputation for nuetrality and fairness, Delphi would not have been so popular and trusted throughout its history)

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37
Q

How was the sanctuary at Delphi orgsnised?

A

seperated into two seperate sections, divided by the modern road (each marked off from surronding temple by peribolos wall)

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37
Q

How was the sanctuary at Delphi orgsnised?

A

seperated into two seperate sections, divided by the modern road (each marked off from surronding temple by peribolos wall)

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38
Q

Lower part of the sanctuary at Delphi

A

4th century temple to Athena Pronoia (Athena as oddess of foresight)

circular building whose purpose is still unknown

two treasuries

6th century temple of Athena and altars

gymnasium (running track, Roman baths, washing pool and a palaestra - combat sports)

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38
Q

Lower part of the sanctuary at Delphi

A

4th century temple to Athena Pronoia (Athena as oddess of foresight)

circular building whose purpose is still unknown

two treasuries

6th century temple of Athena and altars

gymnasium (running track, Roman baths, washing pool and a palaestra - combat sports)

39
Q

Upper sanctuary at Delphi

A

Sacred Way led worshippers from entrance of sanctuary up to Temple of Apollo

Theatre located above and at top of sanctuary was stadium

40
Q

Myth associated with sanctuary of Delphi

A

Zeus sent two eagles, one to east and one to west and they met each other above Delphi

Delphi therefore contained an omphalos (naval of the world and Delphi was believed to be the centre of the world)

40
Q

Myth associated with sanctuary of Delphi

A

Zeus sent two eagles, one to east and one to west and they met each other above Delphi

Delphi therefore contained an omphalos (naval of the world and Delphi was believed to be the centre of the world)

41
Q

Temple of Apollo at Delphi

A

situated in centre of sanctuary

altar in front of it, dedicated by people of Chios to give them the privilege of consulting the oracle first (promanteia) - would have been a highly prized honour since the oracle was only open a few days per years

42
Q

Temple of Apollo layout

A

entered via an enormous ramp on east side

temple was hexastyle - six columns at fornt with 15 columns down flanks

elongated design had to accommodate adyton (forbidden room where it is believed the Pythia would speak)

43
Q

Naos

A

main room of the temple where the god’s image was kept

44
Q

Where was the adyton kept in the Temple of Apollo

A

precise location if highly debated

recent excavations reveal a walled room within the naos that might have been used but others think that it was sunk into the floor towards the back of the temple

45
Q

What was within the naos?

A

stone omphalos (belly button) - the naval

perhaps also a wooden and golden statue of Apollo

laurel tree (commonly associated with Apollo, whose leaves the Pythia was believed to have chewed on to reach her prophetic state

46
Q

Pediments on Temple of Apollo

A

inscriptions and sculpture

inscriptions = ‘know thyself’ and ‘nothing in excess’

eastern pediment decorated with marble sculpture dating to end of 6th century showed arrival of Apollo by chariot, with gods beside him. In the corners, are lions eating other animals, perhaps symbolising the hierarchy of the gods over other creatures

West pediment likely showed the Gigantomachy - battle between gods and giants with Zeus in centre

47
Q

The Sacred Way

A

constructed in final phase of sanctuary’s history but unites a series of buildings (mainly treasuries and stoas) and monuments that preceded focal parts of sanctuary

48
Q

Terrain of the Sacred Way

A

very steep as whole sanctuary was built on slopes of Mount Parnassus and arrangement of buildings and monuments had to work around this uneven ground (even steps on the Sacred Way)

-> journey up to Temple of Apollo and beyond was visually exciting at every stahe of the journey (could have oversight of sanctuary from above)

49
Q

What was the Sacred Way flanked by?

A

treasuries, stoas and monuments

set up by city-states from all over Greek world, relfecting Panhellenic nature of site

way to showcase and promote individual military victories, despite the Panhellenic status of the sanctuary (best seen at entrance to sanctuary - Athens set up monument in highly visible and frequented location to show victory against Persians at Battle of Marathon in 490. Spartans set up monument next to Athenians when they defeated them which was 3x the size - Spartan supremacy celebrated with Apollo and dominated area)

50
Q

The Serpent Column

A

reflects unity and alliance

beside altar in front of Temple of Apollo

Set up after 479BC victory at Plataea by Greek alliance to thank Apollo for his guidance

9 m high and was 3 bronze serpents coiled together w/ golden tripod (serpents = Pytho who Apollo slew and tripod = tripod Pythia sat on)

names of 31 Greek states involved are inscribed on it - unity and common worship but also shamed poleis that did not join in - many were part of Amphikytonic League)

51
Q

Treasuries on the Sacred Way

A

30 treasury foundations visible today

Treasury of Siphnians and Treasury of Athenians = big ones

52
Q

Treasuries on the Sacred Way

A

30 treasury foundations visible today

Treasury of Siphnians and Treasury of Athenians = big ones

Majority of treasuries were erected by faraway poleis who required greater efforts to show their inclusion in Hellenic sphere

53
Q

Treasury of the Siphnians

A

located on left as you walked up to Temple

made only of marble and was decorated with elaborate sculptures and caryatids on facade

impressive appearance and location directly beside SW was an excellent way to promote Aegean island in Panhellenic setting

54
Q

Treasury of the Athenians

A

eye-catching

located at sharp turning of SW where most worshippers were likely to pass or rest

marble and heavily sculpted exterior would have stood out

stoa in front set up by Athenians (on plateau directly below TofA)

prime location - worshippers waiting to consult oracle would have waited here for turn

Athenian self-promotion

55
Q

SW - distinction between politics and religion

A

impossible to see

victory treasuries and monuments were just as much about self-promotion as expessing gratitude to the gods

celebrate alliances

56
Q

Delphi sanctuary - Theatre

A

NW of temple reflecting presence of Dionysus

only competition space within temenos (marked off religious land)

35 rows of seats with 5,000 audience capacity

made in 4th century - did not exist when sanctuary’s fame and reliability was being established

57
Q

What was held at the Delphi theatre?

A

originally Pythian festival every 8 years - single contest which was singing hymn to Apollo accompanied by kithara

replaced by Pythian Games (first recorded in 582)
- musical contests in theatre involved singing to kithara, kithara-playing and flute-playing

58
Q

Stadium at Delphi

A

NW of sanctuary outside temenos wall

athletic contests were not distinct from religion (one inscription forbids removal of sacraficial wine from sanctuary)

originally built 5th century but restored in 2nd century AD

track = 177.5m long and in its final phase had stone tiers of seating for 6,500 spectators on both sides of track

where majoirity of athletic contests took place for PG
- same events as Panhellenic games (equestrian = hippodrome, combat = palaestra)

59
Q

When did consultation of the Pythia take place?

A

took place on the seventh day of each month for 9 months (Apollo absent for the remaining 3)

9 days a year was not a lot for the amount of people who visited from all over the world

60
Q

Alternative consultation at Delphi

A

‘lot oracle’ performed at Corycian Cave high above Delphi

questions requiring yes or no answer were posed and B&W dice was rolled to determine whether answer was positive or negative

61
Q

How would the Pythia purify herself?

A

first day of every month - purify herself and perform offerings to Apollo

Priests would verify divine consultation could prtoceed

61
Q

How would the Pythia purify herself?

A

first day of every month - purify herself and perform offerings to Apollo

Priests would verify divine consultation could prtoceed

62
Q

Signifcane of the goat at Delphi

A

Priests sprinkled water on head of goat and if it shuddered it consented to consultation

–> it was then sacraficed on altar outside to Apollo so people knew the oracle could be consulted

63
Q

Arrangement of the consultants

A

since only open 9 days a year, consultants arranged inorder

Delphians first

lots drawn to arrange visitors

Promanteia granted by Amphictyony (supreme council in charge of sanctuary and oracle (based on rel a person or city may have with Delphi)

-> island of Chios dedicated an enormous altar to sanctuary and granted promanteia in response

64
Q

Where did worshippers gather?

A

assembled in nbuildings like Athenian stoa while they waited

-> perfect opp to meet people from all over world and discuss ideas and queries (this sharing of infomation made Delphi so special and unique - intelligence gathered and debated in neutral setting)

65
Q

What happened before worshipping the Pythia?

A

worshipper had to make a payment

pelanos (small sacraficial cake) burned at altar by Delphians = cost

prices differed for which city person from (Athens = more because wealthy)

some individuals did not have to pay (e.g King Croesus of Lydia - recognition of offerings he gave)

66
Q

Who could consult the oracle?

A

only men

67
Q

What did the consultant do after the offering?

A

made a sacrafice and went to where Pythia was waiting

unclear what then happened - whether consultant spoke directly to the Pythia and was in room with her, how Pythia reached state of ecstacy and to what extent her response was intelligible by non-priests

68
Q

Attic kylix depicting a consultation of the Pythia

A

440-430BC

red figure

Kodros painter

Pythia sits on her tripod holding a laurel branch and libation bowl with a wreatheed consultant in front of her
-> shows how oracle at Delphi was consulted

not clarfied if the man is a consultant or intermediary priest

tripod = associated with Apollo

Pythia’s head and entire body are covered to show respectability and modesty

coloumn inside suggests they are indoors (probably in adyton)

laurel wreath = honour to Apollo

68
Q

Attic kylix depicting a consultation of the Pythia

A

440-430BC

red figure

Kodros painter

Pythia sits on her tripod holding a laurel branch and libation bowl with a wreatheed consultant in front of her
-> shows how oracle at Delphi was consulted

not clarfied if the man is a consultant or intermediary priest

tripod = associated with Apollo

Pythia’s head and entire body are covered to show respectability and modesty

coloumn inside suggests they are indoors (probably in adyton)

laurel wreath = honour to Apollo

69
Q

Literary sources about the adyton

A

suggest that there was another room in the adyton where consultants stood while the Pythia made her prophercies but this room has not been excavated

70
Q

Literary sources about the adyton

A

suggest that there was another room in the adyton where consultants stood while the Pythia made her prophercies but this room has not been excavated

71
Q

How did the Pythia transfrom into the mouthpiece of Apollo

A

debated

chewed on laurel leaves to reach state of ecstasy

inhaled vapours that emanated from the ground (geologists have iscovered two fault lines that crossed directly beneath the temple and a small amount of gas could have risen from te rov

72
Q

How did the Pythia transfrom into the mouthpiece of Apollo

A

debated

chewed on laurel leaves to reach state of ecstasy

inhaled vapours that emanated from the ground (geologists have iscovered two fault lines that crossed directly beneath the temple and a small amount of gas could have risen from the rocks underneath - would have had a significant impact on the Pythia in a constricted room)

sources differed based on whether she raved incoherent noises which were then deciphered or whether her responses were comprehensible

73
Q

What questions were posed to the Pythia?

A

Plutarch (1st century AD writer) records that people ask ‘if they will be victorious, if they will mary, if it will be profitable to sail, if to farm, if to travel’ indicating a wide range of concerns

city states used to consult about decisions

breadth of enquiry further illustrates how religion played a crucial role in every aspect of life

74
Q

Why did the Greeks believe the ravings of a priestess?

A
  1. economic, physical and time cost for individuals/city-states to consult the oracle suggest that there must have been a genuine trust in and appreciation of the advice given by the oracle
  2. private consultants doubtless valued the journey to Delphi as much as the resppnse by the Pythia. Created time to think about options and discuss them with strangers whom they meet along the way - work through dilemmas
  3. state queries would have benefited from gathering of people from arounf world (Athenian coming to Delphi to ask about Persian invasion might meet Greek from Abydos in the N and could ask if he had seen rumours - benefitted statesmen who needed eyewitness accounts to make decisions
75
Q

Why was the Oracle so popular and respected?

A

combination of the factors and persistent belief in relationship between madness and truth-telling in ancient imagonation

did not usually interpret the madness as purely insane but rather having special insight and understanding

76
Q

Delphi oracle and Socratic paradox

A

Chaerephon consulted the oracle inquiring about Socrates’ wisdom as reported in Plato’s ‘Apology’

in its answer, the oracle declares that Socrates is the wisest man of all

Socrates tried to interpret this to come to conclusion ‘I do not think I know what I do not know’ and was therefore wiser than people who think they know

transformed in paradox ‘I know that I know nothing’

77
Q

Where is Olympia?

A

Central Western part of Peloponnese

site and use are firmly linked with mythology and cult of predomiant (but not only) god worshipped at the site - Zeus

78
Q

How was Olympia controlled?

A

not a city-state

controlled by a league of Greek city-states

under authoirty of single city (Elis)

Eleans provided all priests and officals

before opening of Olympic Games, large procession of

79
Q

How was Olympia controlled?

A

not a city-state

controlled by a league of Greek city-states

under authoirty of single city (Elis)

Eleans provided all priests and officals

before opening of Olympic Games, large procession of

80
Q

How was Olympia controlled?

A

not a city-state

controlled by a league of Greek city-states

under authoirty of single city (Elis)

Eleans provided all priests and officals

before opening of Olympic Games, large procession held from Elis to Olympia - mark presence

81
Q

What was the sanctuary at Olympia called?

A

the sanctuary and temenos was distinguished by a boundary wall called the Altis and within it were the sacred buildings

82
Q

The Temple of Zeus at Olympia

A

centre of Altis - dominated space

built before 456

housed chryselephantine statue of Zeus by Pheidias

largest temple in the sanctuary and one of the largest in mainland Greece at the time

decorated with scenes relating to mythology of Zeus and Olypia

83
Q

East pediment of the temple of Zeus

A

chariot race between Pelops (Zeus’ grandson) and Oinomaos

Pelops = Greek hero whose shrine is located within Altis and hereafter founded OG

Zeus in centre presiding over the event and ensuring hero defeats barbaric Oinomaos (beheaded all prev opponents)

myth is relevant to Zeus due to familial connection but also related to Olympia (founding myth to games)

either side - personifications of the rivers of Olympia (Kladeos and Alpheios) - mythical scene brought closer to the temple

83
Q

East pediment of the temple of Zeus

A

chariot race between Pelops (Zeus’ grandson) and Oinomaos

Pelops = Greek hero whose shrine is located within Altis and hereafter founded OG

Zeus in centre presiding over the event and ensuring hero defeats barbaric Oinomaos (beheaded all prev opponents)

myth is relevant to Zeus due to familial connection but also related to Olympia (founding myth to games)

either side - personifications of the rivers of Olympia (Kladeos and Alpheios) - mythical scene brought closer to the temple

84
Q

West pediment of the Temple of Zeus

A

portrayed Cenaturomachy

cenaturs vs Lapiths from Thessaly

victory of civilisation over barbarity

Apollo = in centre dominating as god of justic and order

84
Q

West pediment of the Temple of Zeus

A

portrayed Cenaturomachy

cenaturs vs Lapiths from Thessaly

victory of civilisation over barbarity

Apollo = in centre dominating as god of justic and order

85
Q

Metopes on Temple of Zeus

A

portrayed 12 labours of Heracles aided by goddess Athena

H= lauded particually by athletes due to strength and agility

son of Zeus, also believed to be founder of OG
- recipient of worship at sanctuary and series of altars stood in his honour

86
Q

Pheidias’ statue of Zeus

A

inside temple

one of 7 wonders of ancient world- not survived

seated on throne holding sceptre with eagle on top left hand and statue of Nike (winged victory) in right

statue affirms his supremacy, power and authority as father of gods and men

at OG, athletes and spectators would have entered temple to worship and admire statue byt closed for rest of the time

87
Q

Ash altar of Zeus

A

near temple

here that Zeus struck his lightning bolt from Mt Olympus in N Greece

existed since 10th centuary

pile of ashes left from each sacrafice mixed with water from local river Alpheios

by 1st century AD it had stone base with pile of ash about 7m high

site of worship of god and doubtless sacrafices throughout Games (athletes and visitors)

Games, even though athletic, were an honour to Zeus and religious affair

88
Q

Treasuries at Olympia

A

before entering stadium there were 12

votive offerings set up by poleis to house dedications to the gods

located at terrace below Mt Kronos

from Greeks all over world and all but two were from poleis outside of Greek mainland (many S Italy and Sicily) - Panhellenic appeal of sanctuary

prime location = self-promotion and visibility

89
Q

What was in front of the Olympia treasuries?

A

series of bronze statues of Zeus - zanes

depicted god about to throw his thunderbolt

paid for with fines imposed on althletes who cheated

their purpose was to warn future athletes against cheating

on first day of games, all athletes and judges had to swear an oath not to cheat and judge fairly to Zeus Horkios (protector of oaths)

statues = visual reminder of these oaths as people approached

90
Q

Echo Stoa

A

located between Temple and stadium

believed a single word would echo 7 times within it

Stoa Poikile - Painted Stoa because of paintings that once decorated inside

Stoa = still visible today and dates to mid-4th century

almost 100m long

here competition for trumpeters and heralds held on first day of OG - winners = officals for whole competition (Herodotus of Megara won 10 consecutive times)

91
Q

The stadium at Olympia

A

just outside temanos boundary

running races, combat and field events

athletes emerge from vaulted tunnel - dramatic

reinforce religious element - race finished facing the Altis (athletes dedication)

192m long (length Heracles believed to have run in a single breath)

built 560 and refurbished in mid 4th centuary

40,000-45,000 spectators

only judges and priestess of Demeter Chamyne (only woman allowed to watch) had specially designated seating

92
Q

The Olympic Games

A

every 4 years

founded 776 but worship of Zeus can be traced before (athletic games only one of the wats Zeus could be worshipped)

5 days long preceeded by procession from Elis with sacrafices along the way

opp for visitors to explore sanctuary and pay religious homage. also oracle to Zeus

93
Q

What did the Olympic Games provide?

A

way to assert ones Greek identity as only Greeks could compete

poleis from fringes of Greek world came

broadcast victories to show they are considered Greek

Phillip II of Macedon depicted victory on 4 horse chariot race on gold coins - emphasie to rest of Greek world that Macedon was Greel

Games = religious, civiv, athletic, political

Greek Religion (6 decks)

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