Religious Ceremonies - birth and death

Primary source showing Cicero's love for Tullia

1. "My dear Tullia had a baby boy today..." 2. "...i had Tullia to go to, to bring me relaxation.." (in letter to his friend who griefs)

What ritual ceremonies took place after a Rich Roman died?

1. The dying body was placed close to the earth/ground which would recieve the body - like being born - 2. closest relative kissed the dead in order to catch their last breath. 3. The dead persons name was called three times to ensure the spirit was gone, the household raised a cry of sorrow 4. body was washed, anoited with sweet-smelling oils, dressed in best clothes and placed on couch in the atrium.so that friends and families could pay their last respects. 5. lamps were lit around the couch and fire in the hearth was put out, a cypress tree was planted outside to show death of a family member 6. A coin was placed under their tongue to pay the charon who ferried the soul across the river styx to the underworld 7. The body was taken on a bier in a procession outside the city for cremation, after wine or water was poured on the ashes and stored in a urn. 8. 8 more days of mourning, honouring the dead with a feast, held in the tomb with urn to show unity of family 9. anniversity of death (yearly) honoured with food, wine and flowers as offerings.

After the child was accepted and healthy?

A couch was placed in th attrium of the house of Juno Lucinia to invite her to take up temporary residence and guard the baby. A naming ceremony was held after the 9th boy/8th girl day, offerings were made to the appropriate goddess' and a bulla was hung around the childs neck for good-luck, to protecct it from evil spirits

What ritual ceremonies took place for the dead?

Almost nothing, they were thrown into worthless pits with minimum cermonies

How did the politician, Cicero feel about his daughter Tullia?

He loved and appreciated her. (letter to his wife) "The pair of you will have to see what you can do for the poor girls happiness and you must preserve her good name". he was heartbroken when she died in childbirth (34)

What happened after a boy was 16?

He was released from his fathers authority by the coming of age ceremony. The boy removed the bulla and offered it with his toys t the gods. He adopted a plain white toga of adult citizens.

In contrast to Cicero

Is Pliny. "sad and bitter" for another families birth of girls and loss of wife/mother ALSO adressing his wife "the silly girl" for having a miscarriage

When do women start bearing children?

It begins in early teens

Who did the Romans appeal to for good fortune with their children?

Juno (the protecter of women in marriage and childbirth) was given the title Juno Lucinia - goddess of light, acknowledging the infants emerging into day

What happened if a son "did not arrive" or died young?

Patrician Romans might adopt a son, usually from another brance of a family e.g. Julius Caesar adopted his sisters Grandson, Augustus who eventually became emperor, when his only legitimate daughter died childless

What happened after the birth?

The baby was placed on the ground, symbolising its origin from mother earth - and if the Paterfamilias (father) picked it up this showed he would take care of it legally.

Expand on the naming ceremony

The eldest son usually took all his fathers three names, Praenomen (usually abbreviated to one letter e.g. M=Marcus) nomen (tribal name) and the cognomen (familys name) Whereas Girls normally recieved one name - a feminine version of nomen (tribal name)

Why were girls more likely to be exposed than boys?

The main purpose of a marriage was to carry on the mans family name, as this could only be done through a male line, it was important for a women to bear a son.

What did the romans believe would happen if the specific ceremony was not carried out for the dead?

They believed that the dead may not be able to enter the underworld (Hades) and their spirits might return to haunt the living. They also felt the need to honour the dead and to acknowledge the unity of the family

Why was a girl less important to the family?

They could not carry on the family name, the farther practically had to "pay to get rid of them"

what happened to an unwanted child?

They were 'exposed'. Left outside the gates of the city to die. This happened if it was another girl after many or deformed.