Greek Religion 1.4

Places of Worship

What was the religious heart of Athens?

The Acropolis

SET SOURCE What is the Athenian Acropolis?

Date: Rebuilt during the mid to late 5th century BC
Significance: Key religious site in Attica and important for the whole of Greece
Festivals: Panathenaia; Plynteria
Rebuilding commissioned by: Pericles, after the sack of Athens by the Persians in 480 BC
Key buildings to learn: Parthenon and Erechtheion

Why did the Athenians swear the oath of Plataea?

To promise not to rebuild the Acropolis after its destruction by Persians in 480 BC, as an eternal reminder of barbaric impiety

Who did the rebuilding of the Acropolis in the late 5th century happen under?

Pericles

What are some buildings on the Acropolis that date to Pericles' rebuilding period?

The Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion

When was the Parthenon built?

Between 447-432 BC

What architectural features demonstrate the Parthenon's wealth?

The marble, the chryselephantine statue, and the amount of sculpture (pediments, the Doric frieze, and the Ionic frieze)

What four mythical battles are depicted on the Parthenon's Doric friezes?

The gigantomachy, the centauromachy, the Amazonomachy, and the Trojan War

Who represented the civilised and the barbaric in each battle on the Parthenon's Doric friezes?

Civilised: Gods, Lapiths, Men, Greeks
Barbaric: Giants, Centaurs, Amazonian women, Trojans

What mythical battles are depicted on Athena Parthenos' shield in the Parthenon?

The outside of her shield portrayed the Amazonomachy, the inside the Gigantomachy, and the Centauromachy was sculpted on her sandals

What did the east and west pediment of the Parthenon depict?

East: The birth of Athena
West: The contest between Athena and Poseidon for the patronage of Athens

What did the Ionic frieze of the Parthenon likely portray?

The Great Panathenaia

What does the Ionic frieze of the Parthenon say about Greek religion?

All sections of society have gathered and are united to celebrate Athena. The attendance of the gods show the reciprocal nature of Greek religion; the mortals are worshipping the gods, who in turn grant favour and protection to them.

What does the Doric frieze of the Parthenon say about Greek religion?

It shows a series of mythical battles where order and civilisation has won against chaos and barbarity. In each case, the gods and other heroic groups have fought and brought about the current state of the world. Each battle represents a further reason why mortals should worship the gods, as they ensured the end of these offences.

What do the pediments of the Parthenon show?

The east side shows Athena’s birth from Zeus’s head. The west shows the contest between Poseidon and Athena for the patronage of Athens. Both myths are crucial to her worship and authority in the city.

Who sculpted the chryselephantine statue of Athena?

Pheidias

What shows the Parthenon did not have a purely religious purpose?

Archaeologists have not identified an altar attached to it, and Athena Parthenos did not have a priestess until decades after the first building was erected

What shows the political/economic use of the Parthenon?

Inscriptions record that large amounts of gold and silver objects were stored inside the Parthenon. The gold used to decorate the chryselephantine statue of Athena was removable and could be 'borrowed' in times of need (part of her shoulder was melted when Athens was running out of money in the Peloponnesian war.)

Why did the Erechtheion mark the most sacred spot on the Acropolis?

It is where Athena and Poseidon allegedly competed for patronage of the city

Whose grave did the Erechtheion mark?

King Kekrops, a mythical king of Athens who had the head of a man but the body of a snake

Who was Erechtheus?

The mythical founder of Athens, who was the only semi-offspring of Athena and an Athenian hero who all Athenians claimed descent from

What were caryatids?

Female figures used instead of columns to support an architectural sculpture

What are some theories proposed by scholars about what the caryatids represented?

They may be basket-bearers in the Panathenaia, mourners of the dead king of Athens, Kekrops (because they stand above his grave), or the enslaved women of Carya (a Greek city accused of betrayal during the Persian Wars), as proposed by Vitruvius, a 1st century BC Roman

How did the Acropolis also give omens to the city?

During the Persian wars, the great snake (a guardian of the city) had not eaten its monthly offerings, which the priestess interpreted as a sign to evacuate the city as the goddess had already abandoned the Acropolis (according to Herodotus)

What was the Plynteria?

An annual cleansing festival in honour of Athens and Aglauros, a heroine who also had a sanctuary on the foothills of the Acropolis

What happened during the Plynteria?

The festival lasted several days, during which temples were closed and business ceased. The temple of Athena was surrounded by rope so no one could enter whilst the priestesses could clean her statue. Since the goddess was hereby hidden from the city, it was believed she was absent during the days of this festival.

SET SOURCE What was the site of Delphi?

Date: Earliest buildings are 6th century BC
Significance: Panhellenic sanctuary and the site of the Pythian oracle of Apollo
Festival: Pythian Games
Key buildings to learn: Temple of Apollo, the Theatre, the Sacred Way, the stadium

Who was the predominant god worshipped at the Panhellenic sanctuary at Delphi?

Apollo

Who was said to have also occasionally occupied Delphi?

Dionysus for the three winter months when Apollo visited the Hyperboreans (mythical people who lived at the edges of the world)

Who was the Pythia?

The priestess/oracle at Delphi, said to be apparently selected from the best and most valued families in Delphi

How much control did the local Delphians have over the sanctuary?

Limited control. Delphi was a small community of around 1,000 inhabitants

Who ran the sanctuary at Delphi?

The Amphictyonic League, a local association of Greeks

Who could go to the sanctuary at Delphi?

Greeks from all over the Greek-speaking world

What is an instance of bribery accusation at Delphi?

Towards the end of the 6th century BC, Herodotus suggests that a noble Athenian family, the Alcmaeonids, had 'bribed the Pythian priestess to bid any Spartans who should come to inquire of her on a private or public account to set Athens free'

What is noteworthy about the oracle at Delphi?

Throughout its long history, it was only accused of bribery and political bias on a handful of occasions

What does the lower part of the sanctuary at Delphi contain?

A 4th century temple to Athena Pronoia (Athena of foresight), two treasuries, a 6th century temple of Athena and altars, a gymnasium, and Roman baths

What does the upper sanctuary of Delphi contain?

The Sacred Way, the temple of Apollo, the theatre and the stadium

What is the myth associated with the location of the sanctuary at Delphi?

Zeus sent two eagles, one to the east and one to the west, and they met each other above Delphi (marked by the omphalos, the belly button of the world)

What altar stands in front of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi?

The altar dedicated by the people of Chios to give them the privilege of consulting the oracle first (promanteia.) This would have been a highly prized honour since the oracle was only open a few days a year.

What was the adyton?

The 'forbidden room' behind the naos, at the back of the temple of Apollo, where the Pythia would speak the oracle

What stood in the naos (the main room of the temple of Apollo)?

A stone omphalos, and perhaps also a wooden and a golden statue of Apollo, and a laurel tree

What inscriptions decorated the temple of Apollo?

'Know thyself' and 'nothing in excess'

What does the eastern pediment of the temple of Apollo show?

It showed the arrival of Apollo by chariot, with gods beside him. In the corners, lions are eating other animals, perhaps symbolising the hierarchy of the gods over other creatures

What did the western pediment of the temple of Apollo show?

It likely showed the Gigantomachy, with Zeus in the centre

What flanked the Sacred Way?

Treasuries, stoas, and monuments set up by city states from all over the Greek world

What is an example of the treasuries and stoas on the Sacred Way promoting city-states' individual military victories?

Athens set up a monument that likely commemorated their victory against the Persians at the 490 Battle of Marathon at the very start of the Sacred Way. Towards the end of the 5thC, after Sparta defeated Athens at the Peloponnesian Wars, they set up a monument directly opposite Athens' monument, comprised of 38 statues, 3x the size of Athens' dedication.

What monument shows Panhellenic unity at the sanctuary at Delphi?

The Serpent Column, beside the altar in front the Temple of Apollo. It was set up after the Battle of Plataea in 479, with the names of 31 Greek cities that fought Persia inscribed on it.

Why was the Treasury and stoa of the Athenians at the prime position on the Sacred Way?

It was on the plateau directly below the Temple of Apollo, which meant that worshippers waiting to consult the oracle would have waited here.

What is the only competition space within the temenos (religious land) of the sanctuary at Delphi?

The theatre

What festival was originally held at the theatre at Delphi every 8 years?

A Pythian festival - the contest was the singing of a hymn to Apollo accompanied by the kithara (a stringed instrument)

What festival replaced the Pythian festival at Delphi?

The Pythian Games in 582 BC.

What is an example of the athletic and religious practices mixing at Delphi?

One inscription at the stadium forbids the removal of sacrificial wine out the stadium

When did consultation of the Pythia at Delphi take place?

On the seventh day of the month for 9 months (Apollo was absent for the remaining 3) - so only 9 days a year

What was the alternative consultation to the Pythia?

A lot oracle at the Corycian Cave above Delphi, where yes/no questions were answered by a black and white dice

What was the ritual of the priests/priestess at Delphi before consultation could begin?

On the first day of the month the Pythia would purify herself and the priests would sprinkle water on the head of a goat. If it shuddered, Apollo consented to consultation so it could proceed. The goat was then sacrificed on the altar to Apollo outside the temple so all knew the oracle could be consulted.

What was the order of who could consult the Pythia?

Delphians were always allowed to address the Pythia first, and lots were drawn after to arrange visitors.

What was promanteia?

The right to consult the oracle first. It was granted by the Amphictyony, the supreme council in charge of the sanctuary and the oracle, based on the relationship a city or an individual may have had with Delphi.

What island was granted promanteia after dedicating an enormous altar to Delphi?

Chios

What payment would worshippers have to make to consult the Pythia?

It depended on the consulting state. For Delphians: A pelanos (a small sacrificial cake that was burned on the altar). Athens had to pay more as it was more wealthy. Certain people did not have to pay at all, such as King Croesus of Lydia, due to his numerous and extravagant donations to the sanctuary.

Which gender could consult the Pythia?

Only men

SET SOURCE What is the Attic kylix depicting a consultation of the Pythia?

Date: c. 440-430 BC
Style: Red figure
Artist: The Kodros painter
Centre: The Pythia sits on her tripod holding a laurel branch and a libation bowl. Before her is a wreathed male consultant.
Significance: Shows how the oracle at Delphi was consulted.

What are some theories of how the Pythia transformed into becoming the mouthpiece of Apollo?

-She chewed on laurel leaves to reach a state of ecstasy
-She inhaled vapours from the ground

What questions does Plutarch record that people asked the Pythia?

People ask 'if they will be victorious, if they will marry, if it is profitable to sail, if to farm, if to travel'

What indicates a genuine trust in the advice given by the Pythia from the Greek individuals and city-states?

The economic, physical and time cost for consulting the oracle. Xenophon recorded in his 'Symposium' that: 'and because of [the gods'] fore-knowledge, they indicate to me the result of every action, sending me messages by utterances, dreams and omens to tell me what I ought to do and what I ought not; and when I obey these, I am never sorry for it'

How did state queries benefit from consultation of the Pythia?

The gathering and sharing of information between nations. An Athenian coming to consult the oracle about an impending Persian invasion might meet a Greek from Abydos where Xerxes had gathered his army before attacking.

What happened in Chaerephon's famous consultation of the Delphic oracle?

Plato reports that Chaerephon inquired about Socrates' wisdom. The oracle declared that Socrates is the wisest man of all. Socrates came to the conclusion that 'I do not think I know what I do not know', making him wiser. This became the Socratic paradox 'I know that I know nothing'.

SET SOURCE What was the site of Olympia?

Date: Earliest buildings are 6th century BC
Significance: Panhellenic sanctuary and site of the most important festival of games
Festival: Olympic Games
Key buildings: Temple of Zeus (including Pheidias' statue of Zeus), the ash altar of Olympian Zeus, the treasuries, the Echo Stoa and the stadium

What city was the sanctuary of Olympia under authority of?

Elis: the Eleans provided the priests and officials and a large procession was held from the city to Olympia before the opening of the Games.

Where were most of the sacred buildings and monuments at Olympia?

The temenos, distinguished by a boundary wall called the Altis.

What statue did the Temple of Zeus contain?

The chryselephantine statue of Zeus made by Pheidias

What does the east pediment of the Temple of Zeus depict?

The chariot race between Pelops and Oinomaos. Zeus stands in the centre, and his grandson is Pelops. Pelops founded the Olympic Games.

What does the west pediment of the Temple of Zeus depict?

The Centauromachy, symbolising the victory of civilisation over barbarity.

What do the metopes of the Temple of Zeus depict?

The twelve labours of Heracles, who was worshipped particularly by athletes and was a son of Zeus. He was also believed to be the founder of the Olympic Games.

What shows that the chryselephantine statue of Zeus at Olympia was particularly impressive?

It’s considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world

How was the ash altar of Zeus at Olympia sacred?

It was considered to be where Zeus struck his lightning bolt in northern Greece and was the site of sacrifices throughout the Games.

How many treasuries were set up by city-states to house dedications to the gods before entering the stadium at Olympia?

12

How do these treasuries show the Panhellenic nature of Olympia?

All but two are dedicated by city-states from outside the Greek mainland. Three are Sicilian (Gela, Syracuse, Selinus) and two south Italian (Metapontum and Sybaris)

What were the zanes?

The bronze statues of Zeus in front of the treasuries at Olympia, about to throw his thunderbolt. They were paid for with the fines imposed on athletes who cheated.

What shows the mixing of athletic and religious practices at Olympia?

On the first day of the Games, all athletes and judges had to swear an oath to Zeus Horkios not to cheat and to judge fairly

What was the Echo Stoa at Olympia?

Where the competition for trumpeters and heralds were held on the first day of the Olympic Games; the winners of these contests would be the official trumpeter and herald for the rest of the festival

How would athletes enter the stadium at Delphi?

They would emerge through a vaulted tunnel to reach the track

What reinforced the religious elements of the events at Olympia?

Running races always finished facing the Altis, showing the athletes' dedication to Zeus. The stadium was also 192 metres long, the length Heracles was believed to have run in a single breath.

Who had a specifically assigned seating area at Olympia?

Only judges and the priestess of Demeter Chamyne, the only woman allowed to view the contests

When were the Olympic Games traditionally believed to have been founded?

776

How were the Olympic Games a way to assert one's Greek identity?

Since only Greeks could compete in these games, poleis from the fringes of Greece (ie Sicily or Macedon) competed to show they are considered Greek. Philip II of Macedon famously depicted his victory in the four-horse chariot race in 338 on his gold coinage to show that Macedon was Greek.

What were two ways visitors could pay religious homage to the gods at Olympia?

Sacrifices and there was an oracle of Zeus there