CLAS / PHIL 2610 Paganism to Christianity

Lecture 5. Greek Ritual II. Beyond the Polis

I. Beyond the Polis

A. Polis: 9th - 7th C BC

B. League: Peloponnesian League; Achaean League

C. Individuals: Personalities (7th-6th C)

II. Olympia

A. Panhellenic Festival

-Founded 776 BC: every 4 years; dating by Olympiads

-All Greeks Welcome: Not controlled by powerful polis

B. Agon (contest):

-Stadion (foot race) >> multiple competitions

-Professionalism

-Politics (Alcibiades and Sicilian Expedition)

C. Religious elements: Sacred precinct (Altis); Temple of Zeus Olympios; Oath; Sacrifices

D. Transformation: expansion (Macedonians 4C, Romans 2C) Professionalization / Imitation Lasts to AD 393

III. Delphi

A. International Center:

-Well located (Omphalos = belly button)

-No local wealth; Not controlled by one Polis

-Influcences all Greeks (colonization)

-Used by foreigners

B. Oracle: -Pythia (old woman / prophetess) on tripod

-Adyton (sacred area)

-Verse oracle (Croesus of Lydia)

C. Reasons for consultation: Personal; Religious; Political

D. Transformation: Failure of oracle? Decline of Polis / Rise of Monarchies (Macedon / Rome); lasts to AD 395 as personal oracle

IV. Eleusinian Mysteries

A. Mysteries: muo (keep silent); telete (something completed / ordeal); Fertility? Coming of Age?

B. Lesser Mysteries: Purification; Pig Sacrifice; Revelation (phallus?)

C. Greater Mysteries

-Procession (30 km); Ritual insults; kykeion (barley drink)

-Initiation: mystes (initiate) / mystagogos (guide)

-Telesterion (Initiation Hall; inverted Greek Temple)

-Revelation (Light; Ear of corn; Drugs?)

D. Personal experience: ; no sex / class division (egalitarian); connection to afterlife?