Glossary - 12 Ancient History - Home



76200552450Religion, Death and Burial STRICT ADHERENCE: in the ancient world the Spartans were noted for their serious attitude to religion and their obedience to gods SPECIAL GODS: all Greeks acknowledged the power of all the gods however each polis devoted most attention to those it believed the be special protectors of its community STRENGTH & POWER: they worshipped these particular gods because of their link to strength and power Gods & goddesses Artemis OrthiaCOMBINATION: Artemis Orthia was a combination of the two deities 4674235222250ORTHIA: was an earlier Spartan goddess about whom little is known. The combining of the two deities became a particular Spartan religious observance.ARTEMIS: was Apollo’s twin sister and was regarded as:The goddess of hunting, the forest and the moonGoddess of Chastity protector of women who were about to be married or approaching childbirthInfallible archer like her brother ARTEMIS SANCTUARIES: there were many Artemis sanctuaries including:The Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia near the Eurotas river The Sanctuary of Artemis Limnatis Statue of Artemis PoseidonPOSEIDON: was the brother of Zeus and also regarded as:god of sea and horsesheld responsible for earthquakes, so Greeks called him the “Earthshaker” e.g. the Spartans believed he sent an earthquake in c. 464BC to punish themSANCTUARIES: he had several sanctuaries and temples including:Several sanctuaries of Poseidon in Laconia Poseidon and his wife Amphitrite were featured in bronze reliefs in the temple of Athena Also worshipped at the temple near Cape Taenaron ApolloAPOLLO: was the son of Zeus and also regarded for:he was recognised as the god of light, music and truth bringer of health also an archer god whose arrows never missed their heart MESSAGES: through his temple at Delphi, he was believed to send messages that influenced decisions of the entire Greek world SANCTUARIES: he had many sanctuaries to Apollo including:The Sanctuary of Apollo myklaios at Amaclae Statue of Apollo armed with a spear and bowMyths and Legends Lycurgus BIRTH: dates vary between the 9th to 7th century BC RHETRA (reforms): the changes or reforms supposedly introduced by Lycurgus were in the form of a Rhetra and probably date to the 7th century CONFLICTING ACCOUNTS: have been given of most aspects of his life, particularly those relating to his initiatives as a lawmaker 4234180543560MODERN HISTORIANS SKEPTIC: differ on whether or not Lycurgus ever really lived they suggest he may have been an amalgam of people who helped develop Sparta’s constitution over time Dioscuri TWO TWINS: in Greek mythology the Dioscuri were the twin sons of Zeus and brothers of Helen of Troy Polydeuces (immortal): became a power boxer Castor: was a skilled horsemanZEUS + KING TYNDAREUS: Zeus in the form of a swan and Tyndareus, king of Sparta made love to her on the same night thus Polydeuces was immortal but Castor was mortal MANY ADENTURES: they had many adventured together such as rescuing Helen and accompanying Jason and the Argo Relief of the Dioscuri SHARED IMMORTALITY: in the battle with the Messinian brothers Castor was killed Polyduces persuaded Zeus to allow him to share his immortality as a result their fate was to spend alternating days among the gods of mount Olympus and the mortal dead in Hades SPARTAN’S PATRONS/PROTECTORS: the Spartans believed that the Dioscuri were Spartan’s patrons and protectors DROMOS: there is a sanctuary of the Dioscuri and there were statues of the two brothers thousands of votive offerings have also been found particularly at AmyclaeFestivalsIMPORTANCE OF RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS: were an important part of Spartan life they were useful in reinforcing the values of Spartan society the kings served as chief priests reinforcing the amalgamation of religion, government and social values HyakinthiaHYAKINTHIA FESTIVAL: this was a 3 day festival celebrated in early summer (July) in order to mourn the death of HyakinthusTHE STORY (mythology): Hyakinthos was a youth loved by Apollo and was killed accidently with a discuss the follower of a red Hyacinth was believed to have originated from his blood CELEBRATED AT AMACLAE: the festival was held at Amyclae near a huge statue of Apollo and the tomb of Hyakinthos TWO STAGES IN THE FESTIVAL: these were Sorrow & Mourning for Hyakinthos: offerings were placed at the dead youths tomb and there was a special funeral meal Involved rejoicing in Honour of Apollo: the wearing of wreaths, the singing of joyful songs, sacrifice to Apollo, a festive meal, a procession to Amyclae, choral song and dance.?COMBINATION (Hooker): interpreted the festival as combining a commemoration of the dead with a thanksgiving of life GymnopaediaGYMNOPAEDIA (‘the festival of the unarmed boys’): was a 5 day festival of dancing and gymnastics (one day for each oba), closely linked to the Spartan training regime DEFEAT AT ARGOS (c.669BC)/: it was held in honour of Apollo and Artemis and to commemorate Sparta’s defeat by Argos at Hysiai it was the ‘most solemn of festivals’Appease gods/remind Generations: some historians have suggested that is was held to appease the gods after Sparta’s defeat and to remind future generations of the need to be prepared to avoid such defeats ARGORA: The festival was held in the Spartan?agora (market place) in the heat of midsummerINVOLVED: many features/rituals took place including:Musical Competitions: for all ages including choral performances Images of Apollo/Artemis: boxing amongst boys and menBoxing/Gymnastics: for all ages ‘RITE OF PASSGAE’: it may have been a form of initiation into the harsh life of a Spartan soldier, into manhood In it we see the whole warrior code to initiate the young soldier to a life of physical excellence, a life that would involve enduring pain for the good of the Spartan state. NO WAR: under most circumstances the Spartans would not go to war during the time of the Gymnopaedia KerneiaKARNEIA: was an extremely important festival for the Spartans, it was harvest festival celebrated for 9 days in late summer in the holy month of Karneios (August).It was the celebration of Doric migration, the colonisation of the city and of various military events ORIGIONS (mythology): the origins are obscure it was perhaps a celebration connected with the return of the sons of Herakles APOLLO KARNEIOS: it took the name of Apollo Karneios a horned god there is a story of a shepherd fattening a ram to be sacrificed to Apollo at the KarneiaMEN DIVIDED (feast): the men were divided up into nine groups of three phratries?who dined together and each occupied a?skias, an area which contained tents where a feat was held.TWO MAIN RITUALS: these were Procession with Model Rafts: symbolising the crossing of the Corinthian gulf during migration or the return of the sons of Herakles A Footrace: A runner wearing a garland of wool on his head, first prayed to the gods of the city state then ran away the amagoi chased him, if he was caught, the omens were good for the city OTHER ACTIVITES: these include:Contests/GamesMusic festival: included both men and women celebrating heroic deeds and great events Dance of Armed MenKARNEATI (5 AMAGOI): these were the unmarried men chosen to cover the cost of the festival AGOGE: the games were reflection of the military training system as games were organised on military lines and a close association with the agogeNO WARS: Spartans could not participate in wars or battles during this festival Religious Role of KingsCHIEF PRIESTS: the Spartan kings served as chief priests and were also believed to be the descendents of Zeus through his son Herakles PUBLIC DIVINATION: the kings were associated with public divination the art of divination involves interpreting the will of the gods through such means as oracles, visions, dreams and the behaviour of animals and birds PITHIOI (oracle): were Spartan officials whose duty was to consult Delphi about matters concerning Sparta they were appointed by the king, shared the kings tent ad kept the Delphic responses as part of state archives SACRAFICES: sacrifice was also made in order to obtain divine favour Xenophon tells the story of Agesipolis who, while leading a Spartan army into the argolid (388BC) interpreted an earthquake as a sign from Poseidon the experience prompted him to make a sacrifice to the god Funerary customs and rituals SIMPLE BURIAL CUSTOMS: it appears that they had practiced simple burial customs either in pit graves or tiles Warriors: it was permitted for warriors to be buried on the battlefield and grave markers placed on the grave to show who was buried there Women: who died in childbirth were permitted to have inscribed monuments FUNERY RITUAL: the deceased female relatives generally conducted their the funerary rituals:Laying out the bodyThe Funeral Procession & Burial itself Mourning: a strict period of 11 days was set for mourning the 12th day was marked by a sacrifice to Demeter and the end of the grieving NO GRVAE GOODS: under the laws of Lycurgus, they did not put grave goods in with the dead and Spartan soldiers were simply wrapped in their red cloaks and olive leaves were placed around them Death of Spartan King BURIAL GROUND (Agiad): their burial ground was in the village of PitanaBURIAL GROUND (Eurypontid): their burial ground was in the village of Limnai DEATH OF A SPARTAN KING: Herodotus gives details on the events:Horsemen Informed Laconia: horsemen travelled all over Lakonia, informing the inhabitantsWomen Beat Cauldrons: In the city of Sparta itself, women went around beating a cauldronMourning: All residents of Sparta joined in the mourning, striking their foreheads as a sign of their grief.10 day period: For a period of ten days following the burial of the king, meetings were not permitted for markets or to ordain or to select magistrates.Statue: if a king is killed in war, they make a statue of him, and carry it to the burial on a richly draped bier GlossaryHYAKINTHIA FESTIVAL: this was a 3 day festival celebrated in early summer (July) in order to mourn the death of HyakinthusGYMNOPAEDIA (‘the festival of the unarmed boys’): was a 5 day festival of dancing and gymnastics (one day for each oba), closely linked to the Spartan training regime KARNEIA: was an extremely important festival for the Spartans, it was harvest festival celebrated for 9 days in late summer in the holy month of Karneios (August).It was the celebration of Doric migration, the colonisation of the city and of various military events KARNEATI (5 AMAGOI): these were the unmarried men chosen to cover the cost of the festivalPITHIOI (oracle): were Spartan officials whose duty was to consult Delphi about matters concerning Sparta ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download