1. Birth, Coming of Age and Death

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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?

8. Coming of Age for Boys Young men – marry around 21+
Manhood – 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

9. 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

10. 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

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

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