Women in religion Flashcards
(48 cards)
Hiereia
A Greek priestess
A Hiereia did not have to dedicate her life instead…
positions were only held for a year
The Pythia [3]:
- She resided at the sanctuary of Apollo at Pelphi
- People visited her to remove religious pollution
- People also visited her to get advice
Hiereia did not have to…
go through any special training as they were not reponsible for the spiritual or moral wellbeing
Greek phases of sacrifice part one [6]:
- The priestess would direct the ritual
- They offered up prayers to the gods asking for particular favour or made a blessing
- They would oversee the animal being killed at the altar outside the
- They shout ‘ololyge’ at the moment of death
- The priestess would pray then direct the ritual to carve the meet
- A communal feast followed
Greek phases of sacrifices part two [3]:
- Afterwards the Mantis would examine the entrails
- The Mantis would study the texture and colour of the entrails
- She would make predictions based on the entrails
The Pythia’s identity- Theory one [4]:
- She was a local peasant woman
- Over the age of 50
- born in Delphi
- Lived a blameless life
The Pythia’s identity- Theory two:
She was a virgin maiden
Once chosen the Pyhtia…[2]:
- Was the priestess for life
- She had to refrain from sex for this time
Encounters with the Pythia [5]:
- Men and only men would make a sacrifice then ask her a question
- She sat on a 3 legged stool in the innermost room in the temple
- In the room was a chasm into the earth
- She burned barley and layrel leaves as an offering to Apollo then breathed deeply
- Once intoxicated she was ready to answer questions
When a Pyhtia died…
a new woman would be chosen to replace her
As a general rule godesses…
Were served by priestesses
The main roles of a Hiereia [3]:
- Look after the sanctuary and buildings inside it
- Supervise the work of temple attendants
- Presiding at sacrifices and certain public festivals
Benefits of being a Hiereia [4]:
- It was a salaried position
- Some were paid very well
- They could eat meat
- She could sell meat for profit
Vestal virgin(3)
- 6
- half more rights
- tend to the fire
The main responsibilities of he Vestal Virgins were to…[6]:
- tend to fire
- extinguish fire annually
- attend events
- assist with worship
- bake sacred salt cake
- act as guardians to important documents
If the fire would go out
Once a vestal virgin was heated because the fir went out
Flaminica Dialis only had religious roles…
Because of their husbands
Flaminica dialis roles
- sacrifice a ram on the 8th day
- weave cloak for flamen dialis
- avoid religious pollution
Flaminica dialis was not allowed to
-divorce
What was the difference between the Panathenaia and the great panathenia?
[2]:
- The Panathenaia was celerated every year
- The GREAT panathenia was celebraed every 4 years
The Panathenia [3]:
- Celebrated Athena’s birthday
- The most important festival in the Athenian calendar
- Celebrates the victory of gods over tita
The Great Panathenia lasted…
eight days
Day 1 of the Great Panathenia [2]:
- Poetry reciting
- Musical competitions
