Priests

• What is the Greek term for a priest?

  hiereus
• What is the Greek term for a priestess?

  hiereia
• What was the chief role of Greek priests and priestesses?

  To sacrifice to a god
• Who usually attended the gods in Greek religion?

  Priests
• Who usually attended the goddesses in Greek religion?

  Priestesses
• What was an exception to the usual attendance of gods and goddesses?

  The temple of Apollo at Delphi
• How does the role of a Greek priest differ from modern priests?

  Greek priests had temporary roles without training
• How long could a Greek priesthood last?

  From one festival to a lifetime
• What was expected of a Greek priest in terms of community services?

  They were not expected to hold regular services
• What was the primary duty of a Greek priest?

  To oversee correct rituals at the right time
• How did the importance of a priest vary?

  Based on the god and temple location
• Where did the priest of Dionysus sit during the City Dionysia?

  On a throne in the front row
• Who was the only female allowed to watch the Olympic Games?

  The Priestess of Demeter
• What is a mantis in Greek culture?

  A soothsayer predicting future events
• How did manteis predict future events?

  By reading entrails and bird signs
• What was an augur in Greek culture?

  A person reading bird flight for omens
• How were omens interpreted by the Greeks?

  By examining entrails of sacrificed animals
• What indicated bad signs in animal entrails?

  Blemishes or imperfections
• What was the significance of the mantis in military contexts?

  They accompanied the army for readings
• What was the role of a mantis compared to modern fortune tellers?

  They were loosely comparable
• How did the accuracy of a mantis affect their following?

  More accurate manteis were more closely followed
• What was the primary method of reading omens in augury?

  By observing the flight of birds