Religion And The City Flashcards
(43 cards)
What is the function of a temple in ancient Greece?
A building dedicated to a god that houses the cult statue of that god.
Where were temples typically located in ancient Greece?
In a sanctuary, a holy area of a town/city separated by a wall.
Who could enter the temple building itself?
Only priests.
What was the orientation of a typical Greek temple?
Usually orientated east to west.
What was the most important part of the sanctuary where sacrifices took place?
The altar.
What is the naos in a Greek temple?
The main room of the temple that housed the cult statue.
What is a hiereus?
A Greek priest who sacrifices to a god.
What does ‘do ut des’ signify in Roman sacrifice?
‘I give so that you might give’.
What is a hecatomb?
A blood sacrifice of at least 100 bulls during large festivals.
What is the role of a mantis in ancient Greece?
A soothsayer who predicts future events.
What is the primary role of a Roman priest?
To uphold state religion and maintain pax deorum.
What is the role of a pontifex?
A Roman priest in charge of protecting temples and overseeing religious law.
What does the term ‘Vestal Virgin’ refer to?
Female priestesses in charge of the cult of the goddess Vesta.
What type of sacrifices did the Greeks typically make?
Food, libation (liquid), votive (items), and blood sacrifice.
True or False: The cult statue is the focal point of a Greek temple.
True.
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the main room of a Roman temple which housed the cult statue.
cella
What was the purpose of the mola salsa in Roman blood sacrifice?
A mixture of flour and salt sprinkled on the animal’s head.
What is the role of an augur?
To read the flight of birds to predict future events.
What is the significance of the liver in Roman sacrifices?
It was the most important organ for reading omens.
What does the term ‘opisthodomos’ refer to in a Greek temple?
The treasure room behind the naos which held the temple’s dedications.
What was the chief sacrifice’s role during a Greek blood sacrifice?
Utter a prayer and cut off some of the animal’s hair to throw into the fire.
What was the consequence if the flame of Vesta went out?
It was believed that Rome would fall.
What is a cultrarius in the context of Roman sacrifice?
The priest who slits the throat of the animal.
List the three types of offerings in ancient Greek sacrifice.
- Food
- Libation (liquid)
- Votive (items)
