classics

• What were the practices and beliefs surrounding death and burial in ancient Rome reflective of?

  Society's attitudes towards the afterlife, familial honor, and commemoration of the deceased
• How did wealth and status influence burial practices in ancient Rome?

  Wealthy individuals had elaborate ceremonies and memorials, while lower classes had simpler rites
• Where were the dead put to rest in ancient Rome and why?

  Out of the city to avoid the risk of disease and religious pollution
• What was the significance of display of wealth and status at funerals in ancient Rome?

  It honored the deceased and asserted the family's social standing
• What was the only real option for lower classes regarding funerals in ancient Rome?

  Funeral societies
• How did funeral societies operate in ancient Rome?

  Members paid a fee to join, and the society covered funeral costs when a member died
• What was the first step in the preparation of the body after death in ancient Rome?

  The family captured the last breath of their loved ones with a kiss
• What rituals were performed after the body was washed in ancient Rome?

  The body was anointed with oils and dressed in fine garments
• Where did the preparation of the body take place in ancient Rome?

  In the atrium of the family home
• What was the purpose of placing a coin in the mouth of the deceased?


  To pay the ferryman Charon for passage across the river Styx
• What was the next stage after the preparation of the body in ancient Roman funerals?

  The funerary procession
• How did the funerary procession reflect the deceased's social status?


  The degree of elaborateness of the procession indicated their social status
• What were funerary masks made of, and who wore them?

  Wax, worn or carried by family members or actors
• What did the ashes of the cremated individuals get placed in?

  In urns often decorated with scenes from mythology or the life of the deceased
• What became more common in the later periods of the Roman Empire regarding burial practices?

  Burial in sarcophagi or simple graves
• What did family members place in their house to ensure the deceased would not be forgotten?


  A marble bust
• What did the Romans believe about the spirits of their ancestors?

  They resided in the Underworld and could influence the fortunes of the living
• Why were proper burial rites and offerings essential in ancient Rome?

  To appease the spirits of the ancestors and ensure their favor
• What were the festivals held by the Romans to honor the dead and appease the spirits of the ancestors?

  • Parentalia: A family-centric festival in February for honoring ancestors
  • Genesia: A festival in May to appease restless spirits
• What was the purpose of the Parentalia festival?


  To honor the dead and ensure their peace in the afterlife
• What activities were performed during the Parentalia festival?

  Visiting graves, offering sacrifices, sharing meals, and performing rites
• What was prohibited during the Parentalia festival?

  No business could take place, and no one was allowed to get married
• What was the purpose of the Genesia festival?

  To appease restless spirits and ward off evil ones
• What ritual was performed to exercise restless spirits during Genesia?

  The head of the household threw black beans over their shoulder at night
• Why were temples closed during the Parentalia festival?

  To honor the dead and focus on family-centric activities
• What were the key aspects of death and burial practices in ancient Rome?

  • Influenced by wealth and status
  • Preparation of the body involved washing, anointing, and dressing
  • Funerary processions were public spectacles
  • Both cremation and burial were practiced
  • Festivals honored the dead and appeased spirits
• What is the focus of the video discussed in the study material?

  Death and burial in ancient Greece
• Why were the customs surrounding death and burial important to the ancient Greeks?

  They reflected respect for the dead and fear of their spirits
• What was the ritual called that began the journey into the afterlife?

  Propis
• What was done to the body immediately after death in ancient Greece?

  The body was washed and anointed with oils and perfumes
• What was the purpose of the purification of the body?

  To prepare the soul for its journey and make the body presentable
• How long did the mourning period last after the body was laid out?

  1 to 3 days
• What activities did mourners engage in during the mourning period?

  Mourners sang dirges and expressed grief through lamenting
• What was the name of the procession that followed the propis?

  Eora
• When was the eora typically held?

  Just before dawn on the third day
• What did the eora symbolize?

  The departure of the deceased from the living world
• Where were the dead typically buried in ancient Greece?

  Outside the city
• What was the main burial ground in Athens?

  Keramikos
• What were graves typically marked with in ancient Greece?

  Stelli
• What did the grave markers often feature?

  Inscriptions, reliefs, or sculptures