Sacrifice Flashcards
(10 cards)
Where does the word sacrifice come from?
The Latin: ‘to make something holy’
In Greek and Roman times, what was the most important offering to the gods?
Blood sacrifice.
When did Greeks and Romans make sacrifices?
Greeks and Romans would make animal sacrifices for all sorts of occasions or events, for example, festivals, important rites of passage and to consult the gods about the future
Where did sacrifices take place?
At an altar
What does Libation mean?
a LIQUID offering to a deity
What is a Votive Offering?
a NON-CONSUMABLE voluntary offering to the gods
What would happen to the animal before it was sacrificed?
It would have its horns decorated and would be well cared for. The animal had to be seen to be ‘willing’ to be sacrificed so water was sprinkled on the animal’s head so it would ‘nod’ and ‘agree’ to be sacrificed
how did the animal get to the altar?
the animal was led in a procession to the altar. participants would decorate their heads with garlands
what would happen during the sacrifice?
a fire was lit on the altar. the animal would have its throat cut and the blood poured over the altar.
what would happen to the meat of the animal?
the thighbones were wrapped in fat and offered to the gods. the entrails were examined for omens. the rest of the meat was cooked and given to the participants/community
