CLAS / HIST 2061. Paganism to Christianity

Lecture 4. Greek Ritual II. Polis and Polytheism

I. Sacred Space and Image

A. Temenos (sacred enclosure; temple precinct): accessible only to pure

B. Altar: in front of temple (outside)

C. Temple and Image: Stone with columns (Dorian, Ionian, Corinthian)

Images: aniconic >> bronze and later Chryselephantine (gold and ivory)

II. Modes of Ritual

A. Sacrifice (making holy; making the profane sacred)

1. Blood Offerings: procession; altar; prayer; slaughter; fire; innards; meat

Communal act; hunter-gatherer society

2. Fire offerings: Holocaust; incense

3. Libation: outpouring of liquid

B. Prayer: no set prayer but set format (See Lane and MacMullen 4.9)

III. Priests

A. Society without priests?

B. Athens has elective “Kingship” = solely religious

C. Temple priests / priestesses (hiereus / hiereia)

IV. Festivals

A. The Festival: Lunar calendar = non-seasonal festivals

Sacrifice; Music and dancing (choros); Procession

B. Panathenaia: Honors Athena (city goddess of Athens); new garment (peplos); Procession of all citizen groups

C. Thesmophoria: Honors Demeter (grain goddess); women only; three days = “way up” (procession); “fasting”; “beautiful birth”; pig-sacrifice / fertility / destruction