1. Marriage and Funeral Rites

2. In the Odyssey, Homer describes the Underworld…
Deep beneath the earth, where Hades, the brother of Zeus and Poseidon, and his wife, Persephone, reigned over countless drifting crowds of shadowy figures—the "shades" of all those who had died. It was not a happy place. Indeed, the ghost of the great hero Achilles told Odysseus that he would rather be a poor serf on earth than lord of all the dead in the Underworld (Odyssey, –91).

3. The “Psyche” or Spirit of the Dead
Omission of burial rites is insult to human dignity (Iliad, 23.71).
Immortality lay in the continued remembrance of the dead by the living

4. Although many men feared death and obsessed over youth and eternal fame, it is clear that women were comfortable in the realm of the dead. As illustrated in Greek mythology, and pottery, it is clear that the woman’s role as wife and bride was inseparable from the rituals and culture surrounding death.

5. Marble statue of a kouros (youth)
Greek, Attic, Archaic, ca. 590–580 B.C.
Kouroi represented what was good and beautiful – kalo agathos. Herodotus (I. 31) tells us through a story of two brothers, Kleobis and Biton, that kouroi were votive statues commemorating the youth and heroics of young men who had died.

6. Statue of a Youth: The Kritios Boy, marble 480 B.C.
Sculpture evolves, but youth is still focus
This sculpture encompasses the idea of Ethos; The sculptor creates a noble presence. It is as if his weight shifts with the changing political scene

7. the ghost of the great hero Achilles told Odysseus that he would rather be a poor serf on earth than lord of all the dead in the Underworld (Odyssey, –91).

8. “Wife and Death” in Mythology
The rape of Persephone
Homeric Hymn to Demeter

9. Engue -- betrothal arranged by fathers Ekdosis -- process of transfer/giving away of bride Gamos -- cosummated

10. Rituals and Sacrifices in Marriage
Offerings to the divinities -- especially a lock of hair
Removal of girdle worn since puberty
Ritual bath (using loutrophoros -- meaning “someone who carries the bath water”)
The veiling and unveiling (anakalupteria) of the bride
Transfer of bride by night (in chariot, cart, etc)
Mother figure carries torches “to light way”
Bride is given fruit to show accept of “livelihood” of husband
Bride and groom showered with fruits and nuts

11. Loutrophoroi and Lebes Gamikos
Loutrophoros are linked with weddings and funerals since they are used to bring water (loutron) for ritual baths
Lebes Gamikos, a nuptial cauldron, had various functions -- storage, warming, vase, or symbol

15. Kedeia “The Funeral” Prothesis -- laying out of the body Ekphora -- Conveyance of body to its place of internment Perideiprion -- Banquet

16. Rituals and Sacrifices in Death
Women play significant role -- washing, anointing, dressing, crowning
Ritual washing
Transfer of body by cart (if affordable)
Offerings of fruit

19. Marriage Death Dedication of a lock of hair
Bride and groom are ritually bathed
Dressed and adorned
Covering of bride with veil
A journey to a the home of the husband
Culminates in nuptial bed
The loss of virginity (and the death of youth)
Hair offered my mourners
Deceased is ritually bathed
Dressed and adorned with crown
Covering of body with veil
A journey to a “new home”
Culminates in laying out on bed
The loss of life