Women and Religion

• Pantheon 


  Group of gods and goddesses
• What did the Greeks and Romans believe in?

  • Pantheon of gods
  • gods had emotions like humans
  • had a reciprocal relationship
• Explain the reciprocal relationship 


  Gods would show favour if you earned it, like giving gifts

  If they offend gods, they are punished

  idea rooted from superstition
• What different types of sacrifices were there?

  votive offerings

  libations - liquids

  food offerings

  animal sacrifice
• What did they believe about sacrifices?


  Reinforced the hierarchy of gods on top of mortals

  • hubris is when a mortal challenges this hierarchy
• Describe temples and what they signified?


  Home for the god its dedicated to

  Big and ornate to show revenge to gods

  Have treasure inside them
• Describe Festival


  • celebration for a god
  • were a break from work
• Explain what a priesthood 


  • people who oversee the temple
  • priests / priestess
  • active role in the festivals and sacrifices
  • did not offer pastoral support like modern day
• What is divination?


  • deciphering the messages gods left for mortals
  • oracles, prophets, soothsayers
  • mantis (Greek)
• What is an omen and give some examples?


  • sign from gods
  • bird flight
  • dreams
  • change in weather
  • signs in fire
• What is an omen?


  A verbal sign from the gods

  Speak through a prophet to get advice from gods

  Gods had knowledge of fate
• What is religious pollution + give examples?


  action that makes you impure in eyes of the gods

  • sex
  • contact with dead body or newborn baby
  • killing someone / blood crime
• How would you get rid of religious pollution?

  Ritual purification
• What is a hiereia?

  Greek priestess
• How would you be chosen to become a hiereia?

  Lottery, election or inherit from a parent
• Describe role of hiereia

  work in a temple for particular god

  supervise temple attendants

  wash cult statue

  take part in festivals / sacrifices
• Who is the Priestess of Athene Polias?


  the most important religious position

  Athena is the protector of the city, makes sure walls of city isn’t broken down
• How were priesthoods in Rome like?


  Majority were men

  religion and politics were closely entertwined
• Who were the vestal virgins and their responsibilities?


  Roman

  Take care of temple of Vesta

  Tend to ceremonial fire, make sure it doesn’t go out

  bake salt cakes for festivals
• What rights did the VV have?


  free from paterfamilias

  managed their own property and will

  protected - crime to hurt a vestal virgin

  special seats reserved for them at shows
• The House of The Vestal Virgins: 


  also known as Atirum Vestsae

  like a palace

  three story, 50 rooms

  reflected power and status of the vv
• What does the flame represent?

  continuation of Rome

  symbolises virginity of the VV
• Explain the process of live burial:


  underground chamber

  lamp, with bed and blanket

  die in there
• How many VV at one time?

  6
• What is the minimum time to be a VV?


  30 years

  first 10 years you are in training
• Who is the Flaminica Dialis?


  Married to the Flamen Dialis
• What were the flamines?


  College of 15 priestess
• Duties of Flaminica Dialis?


  sacrificing a ram to Jupiter

  weave a ceremonial cloak for Flamen Dialis

  avoid religious pollution - not cut hair on June
• Why is Flamen Dialis less important than VV?


  FD have less sources

  VV are trained, FD married

  Patron Vesta is more important than Jupiter
• Who is the Arrephoroi?


  Young girls who lived on Acropolis each year to help Priestess of Athene Polias

  • set up the loom to weave the peplos
• Who are the Bears?


  Young children who honour Artemis by weaving and exercising
• Describe a Mantis, and what they would be depicted with 


  men / women

  depicted with organ or palm trees (island of Dellos is the birthplace of Apollo)

  vague answers to protect reputation
• Who is the Pythia?


  Priestess of Apollo at Delphi

  People go on pilgrimage to see her

  Give advice

  Gave out prophecies
• How would the Pythia give prophecies?


  Go in middle room

  Intoxicate herself with smoke from fire

  Apollo would take control of her body, male priests would decipher her grumbles
• What was the Great Panathenia?


  Ancient Greek festival held every July to honour birthday of Athene + celebrate victory of gods over titans (gigantomachy)
• What would happen every 4 years in July

  The GREAT panathenia
• What would happen every 4 years in July

  The GREAT panathenia
• Where did the Panatheniac processions start?


  At the city gate
• Key Info on the Great Panathenia


  Lasted eight days

  Competions, games and music

  Competitors could show their arete

  Women not allowed to take part
• What could the women take part of in the Panathenia?

  procession