Religion and worship

in AthensRevision notes

GCSEClassics

Worship Temple : home of the gods

beautiful buildingsspent 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

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/goddessFood

Thanks for the benefits already received Cakes and fruit

DrinkOr in the future Milk and wine A present for the gods Items Cow pig goat sheep Soldiers’ shield:

success in battleAnimals sacrifices

Everyone ate the meat in a great feasts

The process of animal sacrifice1. The animal was brought at market2. Animal is prepared for sacrifice: ribbons were put on the head and horns painted with

gold3. The animal is led to the sanctuary – a good omen if it goes willingly4. All participants wash themselves and put on garlands5. A maiden carried a basket full of barley grain (a knife was hidden underneath)6. A flute player played throughout the ceremony7. The priest pours water on the animals head so it nods in agreement8. The priest them says a pray and approaches the animal with the knife9. Another attendant stuns the animal by hitting it on the head with a club10. The priest cuts the animals throat11. The blood is collected in a bowl and then poured on top and the sides of the alter12. 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

Athensand the

Panathenaia

Look at the images: What happened at the Panathenaia?

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

1. 4 little girls carrying peplos2. Priestesses of Athena + women carrying gifts3. Sacrificial animals4. Metics wearing purple robes and carrying offerings of cakes5. A colossal peplos6. Old men carrying olive branches (olive wood link)7. 4 horse chariots with fully armed men8. Craftswomen (who made the peplos)9. Infantry + cavlary 10. Victors in the games11. Ordinary people arranged by deme

Why was the Panathenaia important?

Communal worship

Celebration of founder of the city

Gives a sense of unity for the city

Feasting and distribution of sacrificial meat

All levels of society allowed to celebrate

Why was the Panathenaia important?

Competitions

Impressive to watch- Leisure and relaxation-

Chance to win glory (and progress position in

society)

Sense of patriotic pride

Chance to win money

Why was the Panathenaia important?

Politics

Wealth

power

To impress non-Athenians

Importance of religion

Show of democratic system

Athensand 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 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

Judging

Complicated but democratic!

Everyone welcome to watch plays

Locals sat in 10 tribes sections

Judges taken from audience

Each tribe puts names in a urn before festival

One name from each urn is chosen

There are 10 judges

Day 5: list plays in order [separate

tablets for comedy and tragedy]

Tablets put in an urn

Archon drew 5 of the 10 tablets. Play wrights with most

votes WINS

Why was the City Dionysia important?

1. Worship of Dionysos to ensure continuing favour of god for fertility2. Parade of tribute is symbolic of the city’s continuing success3. Competition between demes important because demes were

central to citizenship, promotion of pride in demes also promoted civic pride

4. Emphasised difference between Athenians and non-Athenians as non-Athenians could not vote or write plays

5. Honours Athens leading citizens and given them the opportunity to become a choregos

6. Meat given to the city’s poor7. Raises significance of drama in society8. Act of communal worship9. Enjoyment of communal ceremony