Greek Religion

What’s a polis

an independent state

what united Greeks

their shared religion and language

who’s Hestoid

c. 700 BC, an epic poet who gave the gods anthropomorphic attributes

what are some examples of anthropomorphism in greek mythology

Hades’ passion for Persephone, Demeter’s depression in losing her daughter, and Poseidon’s dislike for Odysseus

what was the relationship like between the gods and mortals

it was reciprocal, mortals honoured and worshipped the gods, and in turn they received help

what are some ways humans worshipped the gods

sacrifice, libations, prayer and votive offerings

Zeus Agoraios

He had oversight over those selling/ buying goods, ensuring deals were sworn by oaths

Zeus Phratrios

he and Athena Phratria were patrons of Phratyrs

Zeus Philios

god of individual and household well being

Zeus Herkeios

protector of families

what problems did ephites cause and how was this solved

people didn’t know which of the many deities to worship and when, so they went to oracles, which we know bc oracular tablets were found

worship could be what?

Panhellenic, local, or personal

what’s interesting about the deme level

gods or heroes would be worshipped locally (within a village) but not be known anywhere else

what two ceremonies did the Eleusinian mysteries hold

the ‘Lesser Mysteries’, a preparatory even before the ‘Great Mysteries’

what was the ‘Great Mysteries’

it was celebrated over 9 days and included sacrificing animals as a purification ritual, followed by 3 days of rest, then a procession led by priests who carried sacred objects on their one day journey to Eleusis. On the way they’d perform sacred dances and other rituals.

what was religion like at the Oikos level

the eldest male made offerings to Zeus Ktesios, Herkeios, and Apollo Agyeios. The father had to tend to the household cults, family tombs and leave offerings/ libations once a year. Women would tend to the dead.

what did the main household cults mean

Zeus Ktesios was the protector of wealth, Zeus Herkeios protected the house from within, and Apollo Agyeios, from the outside

what was religion like at the deme level

each deme had its own religious festival(s), sacred calendar year, and common festivals.

what was a local/ Panhellenic role women could do

women could participate as priestesses for state or communal civic cults, which they could participate in as young girls

what was religion like at the Polis level

festivals etc. were paid by state funds, organised by state official and mostly open to all citizens. It was to honour the gods as well as draw the community together

what was similar between the oikos and polis religion

both had a hearth in honour of Hestia

what was religion like at the panhellenic level

there were four main / most important sanctuaries: Delphi, Olympia, Nemea, and Isthmus in which games were held anually

religious authority in the oikos vs polis

within the oikos, the eldest male had religious authority, whereas in (i.e.) Athens, it lay with the people but was supervised

what was the role of priests/ priestesses

They oversaw rituals, libations, and prayers, and took care of finances/ physical care of sanctuaries, but it was up to the state to decide how much would be spent on the sanctuary

who managed priests

priests were under the responsibility of local authority and were dependent on a civic representative to perform a public sacrifice, and were often employed by the city

was the role of the priest respected

while often unpaid or part-time, they had privileges similar to politicians, like front row seats at the theatre of Dionysus, the best cut of sacrificial meat. The role was respected and bought prestige

how did one become a priest/priestess in ancient greece

through inheritance, by lot/ election, or through purchase

what was religion like for women

it was the only area women had any actual influence - priestesses took part in leading processions, organized their own festivals, and were consultants

aside from the Pythia, who was another influential priestess

The priestess of Athena Polias, the most important female priesthood, was provided by the family of the Eteoboutadae. She was often seen side by side with the most important political officials

how was religion and politics intertwined

Athens celebrated Athena as well as the city itself, most political decisions were made with religious consultations, peace treaties swore oaths to the gods, military victories were made with the gods in mind, political institutions started by sacrificing a piglet and pouring its blood over members, and civic funs were spent on treasuires and sacred matters

who was allowed to perform sacrifices

anyone, but a blood sacrifice would require some skill in butchery

hecatomb

the publix sacrifice of 100 oxen

how did the Great Panathenaia start and what does this tell us

it started with a procession led by priests and priestesses, starting at the Dipylon gates. A special building was built for this and it continued to expand, showing how important the procession was, it even inspired the frieze of the Parthenon

what’s another gift Athens gave Athena

Maidens from aristocratic families wove a peplos for Athena every year, and during the Great Panathenaia, a second one was made by professional male weavers. This votive dedication symbolised thanks to the goddess for her help and protection, while also unifying the members of Athens

how did the Panthanaia split the oxen

The best of the cattle was sacrificed to Athena Nike, and then the meat was first given to political leaders and priests and shared with everyone. Everyone was entitled to a piece, showing the city’s democratic nature, and again uniting citizens as the enjoyment is shared

what other activities did the Panathenaia include

contests like the recital of Homer, musical/ athletic events, the apobates race, the Pyrrhic dance, and the torch race, all credited Athena for their talent and strength

what’s significant about the athletic competitions in the Panathenaia

the first and second prizes were olive oil in a Panathenaic Amphora. The oil helped athletes be protected from the sun

what was significant about the apobates race

it was a dangerous event that showcased the military skills of Athenian men

what’s significant about the Pyrrhic dance

it replicates the dance Athena performed after her victory over the giants, showing the religious element, and the prize was an ox to sacrifice

what may suggest that the Parthenon wasn’t purely for religious purposes

an altar hasn’t been found, Athena Parthenos didn’t have a priestess till decades after the building was made. Gold and silver were stored in it and the gold used for the statue of Athena was removable so it partly functioned as a treasury and bank.

what were some features of Delphi

it held the Pythian games every four years and was managed by a group of city-states, and the oracle was only open for the first day of the first 9 months

what was the myth associated with Delphi

it’s said that Zeus sent two eagles, one to the East and one to the West, and they met at Delphi, creating the belief that Delphi was the centre of the world

how would oracles work in delphi

on the first day of every month, the Pythia purifies herself and performs offerings to Apollo. Priests would sprinkle water on the head of a goat and if it shuddered, Apollo consented to the consultation. The goat was then sacrificed on the altar of Apollo so visitors knew the oracle could be consulted

what was Delphi like for visitors

before consultation, they had to make a payment of, a pelanos, a small sacrificial cake that was burned at the altar. While waiting for the oracle, they’d be able to meet others from all over the world and discuss ideas. This made Delphi special as debates could be had in a politically neutral setting

why may we know that ancient Greeks actually believed in the oracle of Delphi

the cost and time to see the oracle, and it would genuinely make difficult decisions easier, as well as allowing those around greece to share information

what are some features of Olympia

It was managed by one city, Elis. Eleans provided all priests and officials before the games, as a procession from Elis to Olympia was held. And like Delphi, it itself wasn’t a city-state

how did a blood sacrifice work

the animal was led to the altar in a procession, each participant would cleanse their hands and take a handful of barley grain before sprinkling water on the sacrifice’s head to get a nod of agreement. A strand of hair was cut from the sacrifice and put on the altar, the fire would be lit and a prayer for the desired outcome would be said, and the handfuls of barley were thrown in. The main sacrificer would cut the animal’s throat with a knife and women chanted the ritual cry. The altar was blooded. Meat from all limbs were burned while whine was poured over it. Then the entrails were taken out and roasted on spits over the fire and shared among worshippers. The remaining meat would then be cooked and distributed

what can be said about blood sacrifices and what was it’s effect

they were the most common sacrifice ritual, and would unite a community, feed people, and show the relationship between animals and humans. But at its heart was religion

what can be said about libation

Water, whine, milk or honey were poured to honour gods, heroes, or the dead, and a favour would be asked in return. It often marked the beginning of an event. Mostly, libations were poured out of a wine jug into a libation bowl and onto an altar or ground.

what were votive offerings

they were vows to one or more gods, and showed the reciprocal relationship as they were made as thanks after a deity showed goodwill, or a gurantee of goodwill

who was Xenophanes

c. 6th century BC and was a pre socratic philosopher who suggested there was one cosmic god and criticised Homer and Hesiod for making the gods behave as mortals do

who is Socrates and why was he tried

Socrates was an Athenian philosopher, c. 469-399 BC, he was charged for impiety towards the gods of the polis, stating he didn’t believe in the right gods and introduced his own, corrupting the youth

why was such a trial against Socrates allowed

Religious events were a civic obligation, so prosecuting impiety was acting in the public’s interest

what might’ve been other reasons for his trial

He surrounded himself with people who turned against the democracy of Athens, two of which being part of the 30 tyrants, and didn’t try to leave Athens during that time

what did Socrates really believe

he seemed to believe in the gods but never felt the need to prove the gods’ existence or state his belief in the divine, rather discuss and question them in a way that accorded to his own moral principles. He also preferred to follow law rather than go against it, explaining why he accepted his fate rather than fighting it

was Socrates particularly radical in his beliefs

not really, he never criticizes the deities or denies their existence, others like Aristophanes were more openly critical

how was Asclepius worshipped

he was more worshipped as a god rather than hero, and his popularity was due to his nature as a healer

what is the historical context behind Athenians sanctuary of Asclepius

His popularity arose during epidemics, so it fits that this sanctuary was built a few years after a plague had hit Athens

when do the two most important sanctuaries of Asclepius date to

the 5th century bc, celebrating him as the hero/ physician he was during his life and his divine powers as a god during his mythical life

what are some features of the Asclepieion at Epidaurus

it was a centre for pilgrims to seek cures and votive offerings were left as thanks

what is there to be said about the sanctuary of Asclepius at the Islandof Cos

it was a famous school for physicians and again, was visited by worshippers from all over Greece

what did a typical visit to a sanctuary of Asclepius normally look like

It included preparatory bath, sacrifices, and sleeping in a stoa of the sanctuary, aka incubation. The stay depended on the illness and success of recovery. Some would be cured by the god instantly, during their sleep, or through surgery instructed by the god, or through medicine/instructions given to them in their sleep

what’s the main evidence for the cult of Asclepius

votive offerings left thanking the god for a cure, and votive inscriptions recording their miraculous healing, this helped legitimise the sanctuary

what evidence do we have for the sanctuary at Dodona

ocular tablets, which contain questions that individuals asked, these were mostly answered with yes or no

polemarch

he was in charge of cults that were related to military affairs

eponymous archon

he had authority over civic festivals like the city Dionysia

the archon basileus

the king ruler/ main religious official

enkometerion

dorm or sleeping area

hierophant

the priest leading the Eleusinian mysteries

mystagogue

previously initiated person

myst

person going through initiation

epopteia

the revealing of the secret of the Eleusinian mysteries

Altis

the inner temple area of Olympia