Sanctuaries and Temples Flashcards
(22 cards)
What were the key features of a Greek temple?
- simple rectangular shape
- columns in rows on all sides
- 3 rooms: the naos/cella, the pronaos, the opisthodomos
- altar at the front outside
- built on an east-west axis
- pitched roof with friezes at each end
- murals on 4 sides above columns
Where did all religious rituals take place?
outside the temple, in front of its steps. Partly as sacrifices weren’t very clean and partly because the temple was seen as the god’s home
Naos
the dwelling place. the main room with the cult image. Athenians would very rarely enter this part of the temple - this was supposed to delight the worshippers and the god
Pronaos
in front of the naos. the entry porch housing the temple’s most valuable offerings such as booty from war
Opisthodomos
behind the house. at the back to house the rest of the offerings
The altar
were the sacrifice took place. some were very simple (natural slab of flat rock), others were elaborate (carved from marble or made of bricks whitewashed with lime). an important temple would need a huge altar for sacrificing large numbers of animals.
What was a pediment?
The traditionally triangular section at the top of a temple’s entrance
What were the functions of a Greek temple?
- to house statues of gods and goddesses representing the deities of ancient Greek religion
- to store offerings that had been made to the gods
Why did the Greeks build such magnificent temples?
- Greeks believed very strongly in their gods, so wanted to honour them greatly to show respect.
- If they give things to the gods, they will give back.
- It also shows wealth
where were sanctuaries often found?
peaceful, remote places. often high up making them easy to defend
why was the altar found outside the temple?
to allow blood from the sacrifice to be washed away and to allow participants to watch the sacrifice
who was allowed inside the temple?
most ordinary citizens did not go inside the temple, only priests
what was around the sanctuary?
a wall or marking stones
what was at the entrance?
a bowl of water so that visitors could purify themselves
sanctuary
a sacred area containing a temple and sometimes other buildings such as treasuries
altar
a stone block outside the front of the temple where sacrifices would be made
pediment
the triangular section of the roof which often contained sculptures
colonnade
a series of columns
pronaos
the entrance porch where the most valuable offerings were kept
naos
the central room where the cult statue was housed
opisthodomos
the back room where other offerings would be kept
cult statue
a large statue of the god or goddess
