Myths and Beliefs - roman state religion

Who was the Pontifex Maximus

chief priest, normally the emperor

Temples

Honour gods

The altar

outside temple for worship and social gatherings

forum

central location for social gatherings

What were the typical features of sanctuaries?

often walled.

What shape were the temples in sanctuaries?

rectangular.

What surrounded the temples in sanctuaries?

colonnade.

What is the main room in a sanctuary called?

the cella.

Where was the cella located in a sanctuary?

in the center.

What was the purpose of the cella in a temple?

to house the statue of the god to whom the temple was dedicated.

What might be found in the cella besides the statue?

decorations and gifts from worshippers.

How was light provided in the cella?

from the door.

how were temples built

on a podium with steps leading up to temple

Where were the goods for each god stored

undergroud chamber

Where is the Temple of Jupiter located in Pompeii?

the north end of Pompeii's forum.

What was the significance of the Temple of Jupiter in Pompeii?

most important building in Pompeii.

What architectural features flanked the Temple of Jupiter?

It was flanked by two ceremonial arches on either side.

What does it mean that the Temple of Jupiter was a Capitolium?

It was modelled on the Temple of Jupiter in Rome and dedicated to the Capitoline Triad.

Which god was primarily worshipped in Pompeii before it became a Roman colony?

Apollo.

How was the Temple of Jupiter designed in relation to the Temple of Apollo?

It was designed to be more imposing than the temple of Apollo in the forum.

What is a fundamental part of all religious events?

Sacrifices

What are examples of rites of passage events that involve sacrifices?

Weddings and funerals

What are three reasons for making a sacrifice?

To ask for help in return, give thanks, to honour or celebrate them

What is the first step in preparing for a Roman sacrifice?

A Roman would need to book in with the temple officials.

What type of animal was chosen for a Roman sacrifice?

The animal had to be free of any blemishes.

Who provided guidance on choosing the type of animal for a Roman sacrifice?

The pontifices (priests) held manuals explaining the rules.

How might a Roman decorate the animal before a sacrifice?

The animal might be decorated with ribbons on its tail or horns.

What extravagant decoration could a wealthy Roman use on the sacrifice animal?

A wealthy man could gild the ribbons or horns.

What was considered a good omen during the procession of the sacrifice animal?

It was a good omen if the animal went willingly.

Who presides over the ritual ceremony?

One of the priests (pontifex)

Who was forbidden to attend sacrifices to Hercules or Mars?

Women

What must all attendants do before the ritual?

Make sure they were clean with their hands washed in holy water

How does the pontifex prepare for the ritual?

He covers his head with a hood to ward off evil

What instrument is used to drown out unwanted noises during the ritual?

A flute

Why is it important to avoid unwanted noises during the ritual?

Because they are considered bad omens

What happpens during the ritual?

The priest would pour wine on the animal's head and sprinkle bits of sacred cake (made of flour and salt).

Incense and wine would also be poured on the altar. ​

Pass the knife over the animals back and utter a prayer to pass the animal into divine ownership. ​

A man with a club would then stun the animal with a blow to the back of his head and a man with a knife would quickly cut the animal's throat. ​

who would enxamine the entrails

haruspex

what happened if the entrails were bad

another offering was made, bad omen

what happened if the entrails were good

cooked and offered to the deity by burning on the alter

What was the purpose of the ladle (simpulum) in sacrificial equipment?

It was used to make libations or pour wine on the victim's head.

What does the staff (lituus) symbolize in Roman sacrifices?

It symbolizes the role of the augurs, who made predictions based on entrails and the flight of birds.

What was the function of the tripod in sacrificial rituals?

It was a central focus of the sacrifice where a libation might be made.

What is a libation bowl used for in sacrificial practices?

A libation would be poured into it, and it could be placed on the tripod above or on the altar.

what prescribed sources to use

temple of jupiter in pompeii, the emperor marcus aurelius makes a sacrifice relief sculpture

what does the temple of jupiter in pompeii tell us

-it has corinthian columns- demonstrates that jupiter was the most important god in pompeii

- highlights that romans were willing to put in lots of time and effort in order to honour their gods/perhaps suggesting they were afraid of them or wanted something from them

what does the relief sculpture of the emperor marcus aurelius makes a sacrifice tell us

-3 doors= capitoline triad- in front of gods

-tripod, libation bowl, instrument to cut the animal, flute/pipe player to drown out unwanted noise, animal for sacrifice, procession of people

-pointifex present

-made to celebrate marcus aurelius

-romans made sacrifices to show respect to gods

what extra sources can you use about temples

pantheon and the temple of vesta in rome- have columns- pantheon is very grand, vesta dedicated specifically to vesta- fire inside- hearth of rome

what does the relief carving on the altar of the temple of vespasian in pompeii show

a sacrifice with a tripod, llibation bowl, animal, pontifex, instrument to kill animal, procession, hammer

what does suetonis- the lives of the twelve caesars tell us

when 'caesar's approaching murder was foretold to him' 'he was offering sacrifice', showing that they did it to show devotion to the gods to ask for help

what offerings could be made in a sacrifice

food, drinks poured on altar, votive offerings left in temple to thank for particular aid e.g. mars for wartime success, blood sacrifice-animal- different gods got different animals- gender and colour also important-e.g. mars=ox/ram/boar