RITUAL AND SACRIFICERITUAL AND SACRIFICE Ritual permeates daily social life in subtle ways. It is a form of Ritual permeates daily social life in subtle ways. It is a form of

communication, a kind of language, a system that involves the agencies of communication, a kind of language, a system that involves the agencies of communication, speaker/addressee and message, in the simplest communication, speaker/addressee and message, in the simplest Saussurian model. What constitutes a ritual act is a vexed topic.Saussurian model. What constitutes a ritual act is a vexed topic.[i] Walter Walter Burkert discusses ritual as a repetitive pattern of action that suggests Burkert discusses ritual as a repetitive pattern of action that suggests something extra- or super- human. something extra- or super- human. [i]From the “myth and ritual Cambridge School” that regarded ritual as the From the “myth and ritual Cambridge School” that regarded ritual as the source of myth, to phenomenological approaches to ritual that reduced its source of myth, to phenomenological approaches to ritual that reduced its importance, ritual is situated at the crossroads of many different importance, ritual is situated at the crossroads of many different interpretative perspectives, often with a comparative stance from the interpretative perspectives, often with a comparative stance from the viewpoint of anthropology, sociology, psychoanalysis, religion, to name a viewpoint of anthropology, sociology, psychoanalysis, religion, to name a few. One of the most influential and representative works of the few. One of the most influential and representative works of the Cambridge School was Jane Harrison’s Cambridge School was Jane Harrison’s Prolegomena to the Study of Prolegomena to the Study of ReligionReligion (1903). Phenomenological approaches like that of M. Eliade’s (1903). Phenomenological approaches like that of M. Eliade’s ritual as the narrative of myth (1976) shifted this way the focus of the ritual as the narrative of myth (1976) shifted this way the focus of the Cambridge school. Sociological perspectives extended the discussion Cambridge school. Sociological perspectives extended the discussion beyond myth and viewed ritual as part of a social process. While E. beyond myth and viewed ritual as part of a social process. While E. Durkheim’s Durkheim’s The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life is very different is very different from works by Malinowski or Van Gennep, still, in all ritual is viewed as a from works by Malinowski or Van Gennep, still, in all ritual is viewed as a mechanism with a certain social role. mechanism with a certain social role.

SACRIFICESACRIFICE

Sacrifice: Working Sacred Things (word in Sacrifice: Working Sacred Things (word in English derives from Latin term)English derives from Latin term)

Sacrifice is a central act in religious Sacrifice is a central act in religious observance observance

Animal Sacrifice, straightforward actAnimal Sacrifice, straightforward act Animals: ox, bull (the most ‘noble’ animals Animals: ox, bull (the most ‘noble’ animals

to be offered as sacrifice)to be offered as sacrifice) Most common sacrificial animals: sheep, Most common sacrificial animals: sheep,

goat, pig, piglet, poultry (birds, geese, goat, pig, piglet, poultry (birds, geese, pigeons are rare)pigeons are rare)

How is sacrifice doneHow is sacrifice done

Festive occasion for the communityFestive occasion for the community Relation (perhaps contrast with) daily Relation (perhaps contrast with) daily

life.life. Washing, dressing in clean garments, Washing, dressing in clean garments,

wearing a garlandwearing a garland The animal needs to be perfect, it is The animal needs to be perfect, it is

too adorned, entwined with ribbons too adorned, entwined with ribbons (with horns gilded).(with horns gilded).

Procession to the altarProcession to the altar

A maiden at the front of the procession A maiden at the front of the procession carries on her head the sacrificial basket in carries on her head the sacrificial basket in which there is a knife and grains of barley which there is a knife and grains of barley or cakes.or cakes.

Also necessary items: vase with water, Also necessary items: vase with water, incense burner.incense burner.

Musicians accompany, male or female Musicians accompany, male or female flute-playersflute-players

Procession to the altar, only there must Procession to the altar, only there must blood be shed.blood be shed.

A circle is marked upon the arrival of the A circle is marked upon the arrival of the procession to the altar, which includes the procession to the altar, which includes the site of the sacrifice, the animal, and the site of the sacrifice, the animal, and the participantsparticipants

Structuralist approach, setting boundaries Structuralist approach, setting boundaries between the sacred and the profanebetween the sacred and the profane

All stand around the altarAll stand around the altar First water is poured from the vase over First water is poured from the vase over

the hands of participants in order to begin the hands of participants in order to begin the sacrifice: ARCHESTHAI (in Greek the sacrifice: ARCHESTHAI (in Greek means to BEGIN)means to BEGIN)

Animal sprinkled with water, it usually Animal sprinkled with water, it usually nods its head, interpreted as consent nods its head, interpreted as consent

““That which willingly nods at the washing That which willingly nods at the washing of hands I say you may justly sacrifice” of hands I say you may justly sacrifice” according to the oracle of Delphi according to the oracle of Delphi (oracle/sacred law, codification of (oracle/sacred law, codification of sacrifice)sacrifice)

A bull is given water to drink > he bows A bull is given water to drink > he bows the headthe head

All participants take handful of barley All participants take handful of barley groats (groats (in Greek: oulaiin Greek: oulai) from the sacrificial ) from the sacrificial basketbasket

SilenceSilence Ceremonially, the sacrifice recites a Ceremonially, the sacrifice recites a

prayer, invocation to a god, wish and vow. prayer, invocation to a god, wish and vow. Then the participants hurl their barley Then the participants hurl their barley groats onto the altar and the sacrifical groats onto the altar and the sacrifical animal (in some rituals, stones are thrown)animal (in some rituals, stones are thrown)

This is part of the beginning, This is part of the beginning, Katarchesthai Katarchesthai (in Greek)(in Greek)

Sacrificial knife uncoveredSacrificial knife uncovered The sacrificer first cuts hair of the animal, The sacrificer first cuts hair of the animal,

the last part of the beginning the last part of the beginning ((aparchesthai aparchesthai in Greek)in Greek)

No blood yet.No blood yet. Slaughter of the animal follows, cutting of Slaughter of the animal follows, cutting of

the throat, an ox falls with a blow of an axthe throat, an ox falls with a blow of an ax Blood stains the altar (Blood stains the altar (in Greek in Greek

haimassein)haimassein)

Women cry out in high tone (perhaps Women cry out in high tone (perhaps ululation, in greek ululation, in greek ololygeololyge))

Cry marks the emotional crescendoCry marks the emotional crescendo Life vs death.Life vs death. The animal’s inner organs are roasted first The animal’s inner organs are roasted first

(heart and liver). The entrails tasted by (heart and liver). The entrails tasted by the innermost circle of participantsthe innermost circle of participants

Inedible parts: bonesInedible parts: bones Food offerings like cakesFood offerings like cakes

Meat is roasted and consumed at the altar.Meat is roasted and consumed at the altar. Meat is entirely for the festive feasting of Meat is entirely for the festive feasting of

participantsparticipants But all that reaches the sky, is the smoke.But all that reaches the sky, is the smoke. According to Hesiod: when gods and According to Hesiod: when gods and

mortals parted, sacrifice was created.mortals parted, sacrifice was created. Historical approaches: sacrifice Historical approaches: sacrifice

reminiscent of periods before agriculture, reminiscent of periods before agriculture, when hunting was importantwhen hunting was important

Comedy of innocence, the fiction of Comedy of innocence, the fiction of the animal’s consent.the animal’s consent.

Agricultural rites incorporatedAgricultural rites incorporated Religion and everyday life Religion and everyday life

interpenetrate-ritual view of cookinginterpenetrate-ritual view of cooking Membership of community, washing Membership of community, washing

the clothes, communal meal.the clothes, communal meal.

LibationLibation In Greek “sponde”In Greek “sponde” The The sponde sponde is made from the hand-held is made from the hand-held

jug or bowl, pouring liquid (wine, oil, jug or bowl, pouring liquid (wine, oil, water, even honey) in a controlled manner water, even honey) in a controlled manner with one handwith one hand

Invocation to a god and prayer are Invocation to a god and prayer are inseparable from libation. Libation inseparable from libation. Libation ‘validates’ prayer or invocation‘validates’ prayer or invocation

Wine libations introduce sometimes the Wine libations introduce sometimes the sacrifice, wine poured over the flames of sacrifice, wine poured over the flames of the altarthe altar

Sacrifice of an animal while two young boys play the aulos (flute) and the Sacrifice of an animal while two young boys play the aulos (flute) and the lyre, c. 540 BC, lyre, c. 540 BC, National Archaeological Museum. One of four paintings on a . One of four paintings on a

piece of wood that survived, found in the village Pitsa (inside a cave ?) piece of wood that survived, found in the village Pitsa (inside a cave ?)

(Corinth) in the region around Sikyon, near Athens.(Corinth) in the region around Sikyon, near Athens. Wooden Panel, example of early painting (unfortunately we have few examples)Wooden Panel, example of early painting (unfortunately we have few examples)

Scene of sacrificed, red-figured, Scene of sacrificed, red-figured, classical, Louvre Museumclassical, Louvre Museum

Red figured Red figured

Libation (Athena)- classical red-Libation (Athena)- classical red-figured figured

Young boy pouring libation Young boy pouring libation

A winged Nike (Victory) with A winged Nike (Victory) with oinochoe and phiale pouring oinochoe and phiale pouring

libations at an altar. libations at an altar.

Ritual Offerings- Demeter and Ritual Offerings- Demeter and Persephone – Getty MuseumPersephone – Getty Museum

Mythic explanation of Sacrifice in Mythic explanation of Sacrifice in Hesiod’s Hesiod’s TheogonyTheogony, epic poem of , epic poem of

the 7the 7thth c. c. Prometheus Titan Iapetus by Themis or Clymene, one of the Prometheus Titan Iapetus by Themis or Clymene, one of the

Oceanids. Hesiod introduces Prometheus as a lowly Oceanids. Hesiod introduces Prometheus as a lowly challenger to Zeus' omniscience and omnipotence., challenger to Zeus' omniscience and omnipotence., Prometheus played a trick against Zeus (545-557). He Prometheus played a trick against Zeus (545-557). He placed two sacrificial offerings before Zeus: a selection of placed two sacrificial offerings before Zeus: a selection of bull meat hidden inside an ox's stomach (nourishment bull meat hidden inside an ox's stomach (nourishment hidden inside a displeasing exterior), and the bull's bones hidden inside a displeasing exterior), and the bull's bones wrapped completely in "glistening fat" (something inedible wrapped completely in "glistening fat" (something inedible hidden inside a pleasing exterior). Zeus chose the latter, hidden inside a pleasing exterior). Zeus chose the latter, setting a precedent for future sacrifices; henceforth, setting a precedent for future sacrifices; henceforth, humans would keep the meat for themselves and burn the humans would keep the meat for themselves and burn the bones wrapped in fat as an offering to the gods. Zeus angry bones wrapped in fat as an offering to the gods. Zeus angry and hid fire from humans to punish them.and hid fire from humans to punish them.

Prometheus he stole the fire and gave it to mankind. This Prometheus he stole the fire and gave it to mankind. This further enraged Zeus, who sent Epimetheus, brother of further enraged Zeus, who sent Epimetheus, brother of Prometheus, Pandora, the first woman. Prometheus, Pandora, the first woman.

Creation of woman related to origin of sacrificeCreation of woman related to origin of sacrifice