Birth, Coming of Age and Death

Birth Times of great uncertainty and danger Juno Lucina (Juno as goddess of light) Brought safely into the light Re-read primary source #6 – names and functions At least 20 minor numina After birth Series of rituals to ensure continued protection of mother and child

Birth A sacred meal At night – 3 men Two guardians of little children Picumnus and Pilumnus At night – 3 men Hold axe, stake and broom Axe and stake strike threshold while third swept floor with broom Represent 3 numina Intercidona Pilumnus Deverra

Birth Child laid on ground Receive numen from earth Father has choice to reject/accept child Exposed Picked up Placed in cradle – protected by goddess Cunina

Birth Couch placed in main room of house 8th day (girl); 9th day (boy) Juno Lucinia – girl; Hercules – boy 8th day (girl); 9th day (boy) Good chance of survival – couch removed Infant purified and given name with goddess Nundina presiding Friends brought presents and good luck charms (bulla) put around neck

Birth Bulla – made of gold if parents could afford it or leather poorer families Worn until adulthood girl – married / boy – came of age During next few years… Edulia and Potina – eat and drink Statilinus – help stand Adeona and Abeona – first steps

What is the importance of these rituals? Brainstorm! Think about all the ceremonies and rituals that surround pregnancy, birth and childhood in today’s society What is the importance of these rituals?

Coming of Age for Boys Young men – marry around 21+ Manhood – 14-17 years old Established that man reached puberty Dedicate bulla and toys Put aside purple edged toga Put on plain white toga of men Make offering to Jupiter on Capitoline Hill Enrol as citizen

Rites of Dead After life was vague Spirits of dead continued to take interest in the living Ancestors could be helpful if looked after Jealous spirits that could harm Festivals of the dead – Parentalia and Lemuria Precautionary When member of family died – rituals carried out carefully – guard living and dead

Rites of Dead Funerals of rich – more elaborate more people attend Cypress branches hung at doors to indicate body inside Funeral procession – led by flute player Professional mourners – make as much noise as possible Body carried on funeral couch Wax masks Great families – large number of these Worn by men in procession

Rites of Dead Procession through forum Eulogy praising dead man and reminding spectators

TASK: Read through and complete the work sheet, drawing a picture to correspond to each step.