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Classics (Greek Religion) > Terms and Glossary > Flashcards

Terms and Glossary Flashcards

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1
Q

Terms

Anthropomorphism

A

Attribution of human characteristics or behaviours

Often used in literature and religion to explain the actions of gods or animals.

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2
Q

Terms

Reciprocal relationship

A

Asking for something in return for the relationship such as a votive offering for ‘protection’

This concept emphasizes mutual benefit in interactions.

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3
Q

Terms

Panhellenic

A

Belonging or relating to all of Greece

Used to describe events or institutions that involve all Greek city-states.

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4
Q

Terms

Polytheistic

A

Worshipping many gods

Commonly associated with ancient religions such as those in Greece and Rome.

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5
Q

Terms

Aetiology

A

The reason or cause for something

Often used in the context of myths and explanations of natural phenomena.

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6
Q

Terms

‘do ut des’

A

‘I give so you may give’

This phrase encapsulates the idea of reciprocity in relationships.

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7
Q

Terms

Agora

A

Public open space for assemblies or markets

Central to social, political, and economic life in ancient Greek cities.

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8
Q

Terms

Phratry

A

A tribe-like group

These groups often consisted of multiple families and served social purposes.

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9
Q

Terms

Epithet

A

Words attached to a name to tell us something about them. Also used to distinguish between the different roles of gods. Such as Zeus Horkaios (Zeus of oaths)

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10
Q

Terms

Heroisation

A

Process by which a person becomes a hero

Often involves acts of bravery or significant achievements recognized by society.

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11
Q

Terms

Heroa

A

where a hero’s bones are laid

Refers to the burial site of heroes in ancient Greek culture.

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12
Q

Terms

Deme

A

Village or district in the Athenian democratic system

It was the smaller political constituency in the Athenian democratic system.

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13
Q

Terms

Apotheosis

A

Bringing a mortal up to Olympus, immortalising

A process often associated with the deification of significant figures.

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14
Q

Terms

Votive offerings

A

An object left without intention of recovery in a sacred place to a hero/god etc.

These offerings are made to deities as a sign of gratitude or devotion.

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15
Q

Terms

Cosmology

A

Explanation of the creation of the universe

It encompasses various beliefs and theories about the origin and structure of the universe.

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16
Q

Terms

Tholos

A

Circular building found in a sanctuary used to worship the god it’s dedicated to

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17
Q

Terms

Oikos

A

Family

It signifies the basic unit of society in ancient Greece, encompassing household and kin.

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18
Q

Terms

Polis

A

City-state

A fundamental political unit in ancient Greece, consisting of a city and its surrounding territory.

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19
Q

Terms

Aletris

A

Athenian daughters that made the cakes offered at the Panathenaic festival

Their role was significant in the religious practices of the festival.

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20
Q

Terms

Arrēphoros

A

A sacred ritual associated with the temple of Athene Polias in Athens. Two girls (7-11) called Arrephoroi would live for a year on the Acropolis and concluded this with a mystery rite called the Arrhephoria. They would unknown objects into a cavern, and there exchanged them for other unknown objects. Mysterious.

Involved young girls carrying sacred items to the temple.

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21
Q

Terms

Arkteia

A

A ritual every Athenian girl took before she could marry at 12 in which they would dress up as a bear and dance in a ritual at the festival to Artemis at Brauronia. (happened 4 times a year)

This rite of passage was crucial in Athenian society.

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22
Q

Terms

Archon Basileus

A

The ‘King magistrate’ in Athens. They superintended the ceremonies of the mysteries and was responsible for the proper observance of certain festivals and sacrifices.

Responsible for religious matters and ceremonies.

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23
Q

Terms

Eponymous archon

A

The chief archon in Athens. They presided over meetings and remained the head of state even under the democracy (though with much reduced political importance) (translates to ‘lord’)

Held significant political power and was key in governance.

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24
Q

Terms

Polemarch archon

A

Commander of the military in Athens. They were simply in control of the military in the city state (translates to ‘warleader’)

Responsible for military affairs and leadership.

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25
Terms Epimelētai
Overseers of religious festivals, rituals etc. in Athens. They were appointed to keep control of festivals and finances. They were political figures that would ensure the priests are doing their job properly. ## Footnote They ensured the proper conduct of religious observances.
26
Terms Miasma
Impiety or pollution in relation to the gods ## Footnote Considered a serious offense that could have societal repercussions.
27
Terms Peribolos
A wall surrounding the Temenos (sacred land). This was significant as it represented a divide between the sacred and profane. ## Footnote Serves as a sacred boundary marking holy spaces.
28
Terms Profane
Meaning not sacred, ordinary ## Footnote Refers to things that are secular or unrelated to religious practices.
29
Terms Bouleutērion
A council chamber ## Footnote A place where the council of Athens would meet and deliberate.
30
Terms Prytaneion
Government seat ## Footnote The central location for civic administration in Athens.
31
Terms Hecatomb
A great public sacrifice, originally 100 oxen (though this would differ based on how well off the city was at the time) ## Footnote This term exemplifies significant religious ceremonies in ancient Greece.
32
Terms Pompē
Public religious procession in Athens (part of the Panathenaia) ## Footnote These processions were crucial to Athenian religious life.
33
Terms Panathenaic way
A road that leads from the main gate to the acropolis in Athens. This was used for the procession in the Panathenaia. ## Footnote It was the main route for the Panathenaic festival processions.
34
Terms Pompeion
They gather here before starting the procession in the Panethenaia. A large courtyard in Athens where nobility would eat sacrificial meat during the Panathenaia ## Footnote This area was central to festival celebrations.
35
Terms Kerameikos
Where the hecatomb meat was received by the people during the Panathenaia in Athens ## Footnote It served as a gathering place for communal feasting.
36
Terms Propylaea
A gateway entrance to a sacred site. An example is the one leading onto the Acropolis ## Footnote This architectural feature marked a significant entry point to the temple.
37
Terms Dipylon
The sacred gate and entrance to Athens ## Footnote It held both practical and symbolic importance in Athenian culture.
38
Terms Erechtheion
Temple to Athena on the Acropolis in Athens ## Footnote Known for its unique architecture and significance in worship.
39
Terms Pankration
A fighting competition at the Panathenaia festival ## Footnote This event combined elements of boxing and wrestling.
40
Terms Dolichos
Three mile race at the Panathenaia festival ## Footnote It was a long-distance running event that showcased athletic prowess.
41
Terms Erchia
The deme that has a complete sacrificial calendar ## Footnote Its rituals and festivals were meticulously planned throughout the year.
42
Terms Kanēphoroi
Basket bearers in the Panathenaia festival ## Footnote They played an important role in the ceremonial processions.
43
Terms Peplos
A body length garment established as tyical attire for women. It’s worn by Athena and is part of the Panethenaia (they drape a custom made one over a wooden statue of her in her temple on the Acropolis)
44
Terms Naos or Cella
the inner chamber of a temple
45
Terms Xoanon
Effigies of images of gods that have fallen from the heavens
46
Terms Caryatid
A stone carving of a female figure used as a collumn -
47
Terms Pelanos
a votive sacred cake that had to be given to see the Delpheric Oracle
48
Terms Temenos
a piece of land cut off from common use and dedicated to a god -
49
Terms Peplos
a body length garment established as typical attire for women in ancient Greece
50
Terms Frieze
A frieze is decorated strip on a building
51
Terms Doric Frieze
A ‘broken’ frieze with multiple different images
52
Terms Ionic Frieze
One unbroken sculpture that goes right round the temple
53
Terms Pediment
the triangular part under the roof
54
Terms Metopes
This is a picture in the broken frieze (the doric fieze)
55
Terms Mache
battle (E.G. titanmache, battle between the titans and the gods)
56
Terms Chryselephantine statue
Any statue made of gold and ivory
57
Terms Adyton
A secret sacred room that can be found in temples, off limits to the majority
58
Terms Peripteros
Collonade, pillar surrounding a temple
59
Terms Plynteria
A festival celebrated yearly at Athens where they wash the statue in the Parthenon. This ritual is undertaken by the priestesses and the festival is closed for this time.
60
Terms The Delphic Amphictyonic league
A religious association of Greek tribes formed to support the site of Delphi
61
Terms A Pythia
This is the name of the oracle at delphi
62
Terms Stoa (building)
A building open at the front with a façade of columns
63
Terms The Sacred Way
The path into Delphi

Classics (Greek Religion) (8 decks)

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