Greek Death & Burial

Summary of all info on Greek Death and Burial pg 117 & 118

Was everyone treated with respect?

Yes, no matter status or wealth they received a proper burial

What are the 5 parts of the funeral ritual

1. Preparation of the body

2. Prothesis and lament

3. Ekphora

4. Burial/Cremation

5. Mourning period

What did they do to prepare the dead body?

• close their eyes and mouth

• wash and perfume their body

• wrap in a long white shroud

• place coin in mouth for the boatman

describe the prothesis and lament?

• Prothesis was a 2 day period where the body was laid for mourners to pay their respects

• the lament was a passionate expression of grief where women would wear black, cut their hair, and beat their chests

What happened during the ekphora (funeral procession)

• The ekphora was a funeral procession from their house to the burial site

• depending on their wealth they would either be carried by a wagon or by pallbearers

• procession included family and musicians

Describe the burial of the body

• bodies were buried outside the city to avoid religious pollution and disease

• an example of a burial site is Kerameikos

• the body was either buried or cremated

• cremations involved a pyre, then the ashes were put in an urn

• The family would add burial gifts

• If the family is rich would have a stele

What happened after the burial?

• a sacrifice to Hades & Persephone

• 30 day mourning period - family has to visit the 3rd, 9th, and 13th day then on an annual basis

Why did Greeks have festivals for the dead?

Because it’s important to remember and respect the dead

Describe the Anthesteria

• 3 days long in late January

• celebrated maturing of wine, and in honour of Dionysus

• 1st day: the dead rose from the underworld and roamed earth, libations were poured for Dionysus

• 2nd day: drinking contests and pouring of libations on graves

• 3rd day: Families made offerings to Hermes and couldn’t eat any of the food. The ceremony marked the time the dead had to return to the underworld

Describe the Genesia

• in late September

• decorate graves with ribbons

• offer food and blood sacrifice in honour of their ancestors