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Questions and Answers

What event marked the end of the Anthesteria festival?

The return of Persephone to Demeter

A ceremonial sacrifice

A procession to Olympus

The shout against the Keres (correct)

What was the consequence of Kore eating the pomegranate?

She became the goddess of crops

She was allowed to leave Hades

She was transformed into a Keres

She was named Persephone (correct)

Who was responsible for asking Hades to return Kore?

The local ruler of Eleusis

Zeus (correct)

Demeter

Hades himself

Which group was NOT allowed to participate in the Greater Mysteries?

People who couldn’t speak Greek Signup and view all the answers

What type of rituals were performed during the Smaller Mysteries?

Purification and preparation rituals Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the rituals that participants engaged in before the procession?

A bath in the sea Signup and view all the answers

How many parts were there to the Eleusinian Mysteries?

Two parts Signup and view all the answers

During the Greater Mysteries procession, what did participants carry?

Myrtle branches, walking sticks, and a sack Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to free women who worked for money and were typically not Athenian by birth?

Pornai Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary role of women in the household of 5th century Athens?

Supervision of slaves Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes courtesans (hetairai) in 5th century Athens?

They were educated women who catered to the elite. Signup and view all the answers

In 5th century Athens, what were the usual occasions when free women were expected to leave the house?

Religious festivals and funerals Signup and view all the answers

What was considered a major pressure on both male and female members of the oikos in Ancient Greece?

To marry and produce legitimate children Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of rituals in the sanctuary related to the Persephone myth?

To serve as an emotional experience for initiates Signup and view all the answers

During the Apatouria festival, what significant event takes place on the 3rd day?

Presentation of new members to the phratry Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Agon' refer to in the context of competition in Ancient Greece?

A public competition viewed by the people Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the Telesterion in initiation ceremonies?

It was an indoor hall for the final ceremony Signup and view all the answers

What concept describes the love of honor and ambition in Ancient Greek culture?

Philotimia Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of the Pan-Hellenic Games?

To unite Greek city-states through competition Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Deme' refer to in Ancient Greek society?

An administrative district or village community Signup and view all the answers

How did Alkibiades view ambition in relation to community honor?

Ambition serves to bring honor to the greater community Signup and view all the answers

What practical purpose did the strigil serve in athletic competitions?

It was used to scrape off oil, sweat, and dirt after physical activity Signup and view all the answers

What was a major characteristic of the Deme Festivals held by the Demoi?

They were public festivals celebrating local culture Signup and view all the answers

Which group in Athens was expected to fight in the army but could not vote?

Metics Signup and view all the answers

What was a citizen's primary obligation in Athens?

Attending the ekklesia every 10 days Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of marriage in ancient Athens?

To produce legitimate children Signup and view all the answers

Who controlled the property and made legal decisions within a household (oikos)?

The kurius Signup and view all the answers

What happened to a woman's dowry after marriage?

It was passed down to the children Signup and view all the answers

What condition would automatically lead to divorce in Athens?

Wife's infidelity Signup and view all the answers

What was the age difference typical for marriage in ancient Athens?

Men married older than women Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the epikleros in Athenian property inheritance?

To inherit property in the absence of male heirs Signup and view all the answers

Why might a husband have to initiate a divorce in Athens?

He could easily send his wife back Signup and view all the answers

What role did guardians play in Athenian inheritance?

They managed the property for minors Signup and view all the answers

What was homicide's significance to the gods?

It was the primary concern of the gods due to its pollution effects. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes purification before a sacrifice?

It was required after contact with the dead or homicide. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a true human sacrifice in Ancient Greek practice?

It was only depicted in myths and banned in real life. Signup and view all the answers

What is a libation in the context of Greek sacrifices?

A liquid offering poured on an altar or ground. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Panathenaia festival?

To honor the goddess Athena and the community of Athens. Signup and view all the answers

Who was generally protected as a suppliant by the Greeks?

Defeated enemies and strangers without community protection. Signup and view all the answers

What was the meaning of Katharma in the context of purification?

The place that had been purified. Signup and view all the answers

Which activities were part of the Panathenaia festival?

Musical, athletic, and literary contests. Signup and view all the answers

What did the term temenos refer to in Greek sanctuaries?

A sacred area reserved for cult activities. Signup and view all the answers

What does the ritualistic act of supplication involve?

Physical contact with a superior or altar. Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about the Great Panathenaia compared to the Lesser Panathenaia?

It occurs every four years and is more elaborate. Signup and view all the answers

Which deity was primarily celebrated during the Panathenaia?

Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following concepts was associated with the idea of miasma?

Pollution caused by homicide and its community impacts. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of prayers in Greek rituals?

To formally request favors from the gods. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the older male in the pederastic relationship?

Erastes Signup and view all the answers

What was a key role of the erastes in the pederastic relationship?

To mentor the younger male Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a field of education in Ancient Athens?

Mathematics Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of memorization in the education of boys?

To prepare for adult life duties Signup and view all the answers

Which type of school was primarily associated with physical training in Ancient Athens?

Paidotribes Signup and view all the answers

What was Socrates' educational method known for?

The Socratic Method of questioning Signup and view all the answers

Which institution was established first in Ancient Athens?

The Academy Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary export of ancient Athens?

Olive oil Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about metics in Athens is true?

They were required to register and pay a tax. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant shame associated with pederastic relationships?

Exchanging money Signup and view all the answers

Which role did slaves NOT typically perform in ancient Athens?

Voting in assemblies Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of teachers specialized in rhetoric?

Sophists Signup and view all the answers

Why did Athens need to import grain?

To feed the growing population Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason the pederastic relationship ended?

The younger male reached adulthood Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Greek Civilization - Test 2 Review

What Concerned the Gods?
- Homicide
- Miasma (pollution), which threatened the whole community
Who Was Protected?
- Suppliants
- Heralds
- Strangers
- Beggars
- These groups were protected because they couldn't rely on the law.

Sacrifice

A performance that renewed the relationship between animals, humans, and gods.
Regulated procedure distinguished sacrifice from violence.
Usually done at a sanctuary with an altar.
Involved washing hands, prayers, throwing grain, slitting throats, and consuming parts of the sacrificed animal (thigh bones wrapped in fat for gods, red wine libation).
Parts were distributed to everyone.
In special cases, the entire animal was consumed by fire (Holochaust).
Carcasses were not typically eaten by participants.

Purification

Katharma = the purified place.
Purification needed after contact with the dead, homicide, childbirth, and sexual intercourse.

Private Sacrifice

Private individuals performed sacrifices outside of sanctuaries, often for their families.
Human sacrifice was only done in myth and was considered savage and inhumane.

Libations

Food and drink offerings (milk, honey, wine, animal blood) poured on altars or the ground for the gods.

Prayers

Asking gods for a specific request followed a template.
Flattering names and titles, reminders of previous sacrifices and offerings, promises for good actions in return.
Prayers made specific requests.

Supplication

Performed by those without community support (ex: foreigners, defeated enemies.)
Required physical contact (touching knees, chin, or sanctuary statues/altars).
Gods were witnesses, not directly involved.
Dishonorable to harm a supplicant.
Protected by Zeus Hikesios.

Greek Sanctuaries

Temenos (sanctuary) cut off from normal use, reserved for cult activity.
Temples (naos) may be present but not always.
Altars outdoors are essential.
Possible presence of dozens of sanctuaries without temples on the Acropolis.

Religion in Practice in Ancient Athens

Most civic functions under the patronage of gods.
No distinction between civic & religious life.
Phratria: group of citizens related to one another; engaged in cult activities together.

Panathenaia

First month of the Athenian year (June/July).
Celebrated every 4 years (Great Panathenaia) and every year (Lesser Panathenaia).
Focused on Athena's birth and relationship to the city.
Important purposes include showcasing Athenian community and appreciation for Athena.
Festival procession to the Acropolis and altar of Athena, animal sacrifice, banquet, and contests (athletic, musical, literary).
A robe (peplos) woven by girls was offered to the goddess.

Examples of Contests

Musical and Rhapsodic contests (night before procession).
Torch relay.
Chariot races.
Foot races of armed warriors.
Boxing.
Wrestling.
Pankration (mix of boxing and wrestling).
Apobates (chariot races with jumps).
Armed races (pyrrhic dance).

Who could go to the Panathenaia?

Athenian citizens (male and female).
Resident aliens (metics).
Freed slaves.
Foreigners (including non-Greeks).
Communities overseas and allies (sent sacrificial cows).

Contest Prizes

Amphorae filled with olive oil (trophies).
Olive oil connected to Athena and the olive tree.
Other prizes included gold crowns, money, and food.

Anthesteria

New year festival honoring Dionysos in January/February.
Proceedings: Jar Opening (Pithoigia), Wine Jugs (Khoes), Cooking Pots (Khutrai).
Importance: new wine opening for the first time and drinking contests, the "holy marriage" of Dionysos, and a first taste of wine for children.

Myth of Persephone (Kore)

Demeter and her daughter Kore.
Kore kidnapped by Hades, causing crops to fail.
Zeus intervened to get Persephone back.
Compromise: Persephone spends part of the year with Demeter and another portion with Hades, causing seasonal crop cycles.

Eleusinian Mysteries

Festival of Demeter at Eleusis (based on the myth of Persephone).
Demeter lived with a local ruler/nurse in Eleusis when she left Olympus.
Performed immortality rituals for the child and revealed herself as a goddess to those who celebrated.
Granted immortality to initiates and did not talk about the rituals with non-members.
Smaller and Greater Mysteries.

Great Mysteries

Messengers sought truce for travel to Eleusis.
Excluded people who couldn't speak Greek, were under homicide trial, or were ritually impure.
Pre-procession rituals (bath in the sea, sacrifice of a piglet).
Carried myrtle branches, walking sticks, and a sack during procession.
Fasting period before secret parts of the festival.
Initiates were allowed in the sanctuary at night, experiencing emotional renditions of the Persephone myth.
Telesterion (indoor hall where final ceremony occurred).
Connected to agriculture and the crop cycle, promising an afterlife.

Apatouria

Major festival for Phratries (symbolic kinship groups connected by religious practices).
Athenian citizens were members of a Phratry.
Lasted 3 days, culminating in Koureotis (presentation of new members, Libations, cutting the hair of boys).

Deme Festivals

Public festivals held by Demoi (Athenian citizens, village communities).
Similar to other city rituals, but also connected to local cults.

Competition in Ancient Greece

Agon: competition for the public eye; two main types—friends and enemies.
Perceptions (Time, Philotimia, Atimia) of success and failure in competition were paramount.

Athletics and Other Competitions

Competition expressed acceptably through rules, judges, and umpires, including athletics, music, poetry, and dancing.
Festivals were happy occasions for releasing tensions.
Strigil: tool for removing oil, sweat, and dirt.

The Pan-Hellenic Games

Open to Greeks (not just Athenians).
Participating states avoided war during the games.
Locations (Olympia, Nemea, Delphi, Isthmus).
Occurred every four years (Periodos).
Important games (Isthmian, Olympic, Nemean, Pythian).
Famous individuals gained celebrity status.

Alkibiades vs Hesiod

Alkibiades views ambition, envy, and success as central to the community.
Hesiod presents a more balanced view of competition (Eris - destructive, vs. healthy competition).

Ostracism

Citizens vote annually (simple majority) to exile a person for 10 years (ostracized).
Utilized ostrakon (sherd).
Way to prevent excessive power and channel envy.

Enemies and War

Ekhthroi (personal enemies) and Polemioi (war enemies).
Private rivalries put aside during war to protect the city.
Xenia: guest friendship across cities for generations; considered sacred.

Self-Control vs Hubris

Hubris: intentionally dishonoring behavior, frequently associated with violence.
Sophrosune: self-control, moderation, modesty, and acknowledging one's limitations.
Two maxims: "know yourself" and "nothing in excess".
Inscribed at the Temple of Apollo at Delphi.

Symposium

"Drinking together," a male aristocratic activity.
Women present as entertainers.
Krater: vessel for mixing water and wine.
Symposiarch: master of the drinking, chosen by dice roll.
Symposiasts: other participants.
Kottabos: popular symposium game.

Population of Athens

Different groups: (Citizens, resident aliens [metics], freed slaves, slaves).
Male citizen obligations (political participation, service in the army/fleet).
Female obligations (less public but important roles in the household).

Oikos = Household

Kurios ("master"): senior male responsible for property transfer to the next generation and controlling the household.
Kureia: protection, tutelage for kins (minor sons and women), slaves

Problems of property inheritance

Ideal: property passed equally to sons.
Guardians appointed if the father died before son's 18.
Options for citizens without sons: Adopt a relative as heir, make a will, or not.
Heiress (epikleros) forced to marry to the nearest relative or risk being divorced if already married.

Marriage

Main purpose to produce legitimate children and maintain the family lineage (the oikos).
A contract between families.
Age differences (15/16 for women, 30 for men).
Dowry was presented.

Divorce

Initiated by either spouse, but easier for the husband.
Women went to the eponymous archon.
Evidence of husband's improper behavior was needed.
Divorce was mandatory if the wife had committed adultery.

Concubines (pallakai)

Long-term relationships, but not legally married.
Children were free but didn't inherit.

Prostitutes

Slaves or free women who worked for money in brothels.

Courtesans (hetairai)

Educated and sophisticated women whose clients were the Athenian elite.
Aspasia was a famous example.

Separate Spaces

Free women were ideally not expected outside their homes except for religious/community events.
Women worked in the household for important tasks.
Men had exclusive access to outside places (war, athletics, justice, politics).

Household Activities of Women

Food preparation.
Textile production.
Managing resources.
Supervising slaves (male and female).
Upbringing children (high rates of mortality).
Tasks outside the home (fetching water).

Ancient Greek Sexuality

Survival of the oikos (family) was important.
Pressure on family members to marry and have legitimate children.
Sexuality wasn't defined at birth.
Children saw males and females as similar beings, but puberty changed this status in the community.

Pederasty

Relationships between older and younger males.
Older male ("erastes") was a mentor and/or educator.
Younger male ("eromenos") was the beloved.
Not generally considered homosexual.
Shameful to bargain with money.

Mythical models of Pederasty

Achilles and Patroclus, Zeus and Ganymede.
Mythical depictions of pederasty.

Education in Ancient Athens

Education was primarily private, paid for and handled by the parents for their children.
Three main areas including, literacy, music, and physical training.

Literacy

Grammatistes: elementary teachers for basic literacy.
Importance for participating in Athenian democracy.
Reading works of important authors (poetry).
Memorization crucial for many aspects of life.

Dance

Musical and physical activity, part of symposia.
Khoras: dance/chorus.
Dance part of wartime and boxing training to improve synchronization.

Physical Education

Paidotribes: sport trainer.
Gymnasion: public and private schools.
Palaistra: location for wrestling.

Education of Girls

Girls went to school based on their social class.
Received literacy based on social class.
Images of women participating in philosophical discussions and education show some ability outside the house.

Higher Education

Sophists ("wise men"): teachers specializing in rhetoric.
Taught arete ("excellence").
Gorgias from Leontinoi.
Famous for their ability to speak and argue effectively on any topic.

Socrates

Not a Sophist, but a professional educator.
Known for the Socratic Method (questioning to find truth).
Criticized as a corruptor of the youth.

The Academy and the Lyceum

Academy: Plato's school - first institution with facilities, curriculum, and a headmaster.
Lyceum: Aristotle's school.

Agriculture and Society

Most Athenians owned land for self-sufficiency.
Agriculture was the preferred form of wealth-building.
Silver mines were important, but were operated by private enterprise with slave labor.

Feeding Athens

Relied on olive oil exports for wealth.
Had to import grain to feed the population.
Small tax on imported goods.

Slavery

Slaves worked in various roles (agriculture, mining, workshops, household tasks, educators).
Public slaves worked in the Agora and other public places.

Metoikos=Metic

Freed slaves and non-Athenian foreigners.
Needed to register for a month.
Payed taxes (monthly) and had a patron (prostates).
Not full citizens.
Could participate in festivals, serve in the army, appear in court.
Thracian slaves and metics (Bendis cult) were assimilated into Athenian culture.

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