Religion and worship in Athens Revision notes GCSE Classics

Temple : home of the gods Worship Temple : home of the gods beautiful buildings spent more money on temples than on their own homes No worship happened in temple Huge cult statues (1 per temple) in the Noas e.g. Athene made of gold and ivory 12 meters tall

Alter: Outside the Temple Worship Alter: Outside the Temple Practical purposes Soil soaked up the animal blood (think of 100 oxen being killed in 1 day!) Still inside sanctuary walls: Sacred ground Animals sacrificed (not humans!)

Worship Sacrifice #1 Sacrifice dedicated to the god/goddess Food Thanks for the benefits already received Cakes and fruit Drink Or in the future Milk and wine A present for the gods Items Cow pig goat sheep Soldiers’ shield: success in battle Animals sacrifices Everyone ate the meat in a great feasts

The process of animal sacrifice The animal was brought at market Animal is prepared for sacrifice: ribbons were put on the head and horns painted with gold The animal is led to the sanctuary – a good omen if it goes willingly All participants wash themselves and put on garlands A maiden carried a basket full of barley grain (a knife was hidden underneath) A flute player played throughout the ceremony The priest pours water on the animals head so it nods in agreement The priest them says a pray and approaches the animal with the knife Another attendant stuns the animal by hitting it on the head with a club The priest cuts the animals throat The blood is collected in a bowl and then poured on top and the sides of the alter The meat is then cut up and treated three ways: 1. the thigh bone is wrapped in fat and burnt on the alter (a gift to the gods) 2. the guts are inspected for omens (battles to be won) 3. the rest is boiled and shared as part of a great feast

Athens and the Panathenaia

Look at the images: What happened at the Panathenaia? Athena – wrestling – running – chariots - peplos

The Panathenaia The Panthenaia was the celebration of Athene’s birthday It took place at the end of July each year The celebration began at dawn at the Dipylan Gate and processed to the Acropolis Along the route 100 sacrificial animals (usually oxen) where driven along the procession route [hecatomb] Greeks from all levels of society participated in the procession (women and slaves included) A peplos was offered to Athene (both big + small olive wood statue) as a present It was gold and purple with scenes of the victories the Olympic gods had over the Giants (order over chaos) After the animals were sacrificed at the alter the meat was cooked and a large feast took place

The Great Panathenaia This happened every four years It was an eight day celebration in honour of Athene Several competitions took place to mark this occasion Sports: included boxing, penthalon, wrestling, horse events and stadion (200 meter sprint) All Greeks could participate in these Tribal competitions: only open to members of the 10 tribes of Athens: boat race in Athens harbour + Torch race from Dipylon Gate to the acropolis (gave the festival a local feel!) Music: men competed to play the lyre and Aulos best Prizes included money or a gold crown Rhapsodes (Men to recite epic poetry) competed to retell the Iliad and odyssey

The order of procession 4 little girls carrying peplos Priestesses of Athena + women carrying gifts Sacrificial animals Metics wearing purple robes and carrying offerings of cakes A colossal peplos Old men carrying olive branches (olive wood link) 4 horse chariots with fully armed men Craftswomen (who made the peplos) Infantry + cavlary Victors in the games Ordinary people arranged by deme

Why was the Panathenaia important? Feasting and distribution of sacrificial meat Celebration of founder of the city Communal worship Gives a sense of unity for the city All levels of society allowed to celebrate

Why was the Panathenaia important? Sense of patriotic pride Impressive to watch - Leisure and relaxation- Competitions Chance to win glory (and progress position in society) Chance to win money

Why was the Panathenaia important? Politics To impress non-Athenians power Wealth Importance of religion Show of democratic system

Athens and the City Dionysia

What was it? Second most important festival Held in March Dionysus = god of drama A grand Drama Festival Play wrights wrote scripts specifically Plays were judged

Preparation A chorego, a wealthy citizen, would sponsor the play The city’s magistrates, archon, selected play wrights 3 to write tragedies 1 to write a satyr-play (a light hearted parody of a tragedy) 3 to write comedies The play wrights had to hire the cast and practice for over 6 months A chorego, a wealthy citizen, would sponsor the play Paid for costumes, special effects and props This would win the chorego popularity and respect in society

The festival Begins with a torch light procession A wooden statue of Dionysos is led into the city and into the cities theatre Military cadets accompany the statue Day 1: another grand procession: animals taken to the temple of Dionysos and sacrificed (poorest in city given meat!), Day 2: a magnificent opening ceremony in the theatre. Money paid in tax by Athens allies is displayed + orphaned boys (whose fathers died fighting for the city) are paraded in. Individual citizens are awarded prizes for good deeds. Day 2- 4: plays are performed. 1) Tragedies and satyr-play in the morning 2) after lunch a comedy is put on Day 5: Judging the plays

Complicated but democratic! Judging Judges taken from audience Complicated but democratic! Each tribe puts names in a urn before festival Everyone welcome to watch plays One name from each urn is chosen There are 10 judges Locals sat in 10 tribes sections Tablets put in an urn Day 5: list plays in order [separate tablets for comedy and tragedy] Archon drew 5 of the 10 tablets. Play wrights with most votes WINS

Why was the City Dionysia important? Worship of Dionysos to ensure continuing favour of god for fertility Parade of tribute is symbolic of the city’s continuing success Competition between demes important because demes were central to citizenship, promotion of pride in demes also promoted civic pride Emphasised difference between Athenians and non-Athenians as non-Athenians could not vote or write plays Honours Athens leading citizens and given them the opportunity to become a choregos Meat given to the city’s poor Raises significance of drama in society Act of communal worship Enjoyment of communal ceremony