Classical Civilisation - Greek and Roman priests
How many ponticies were there?
15
How long would you be a Vestal?
30 years
How many Vestal Virgins were there?
6
What criteria did you have to meet to be selected as a Vestal Virgin?
Aged between 6 and 10; fit and healthy; both parents living
When was a haruspex consulted?
At important sacrifices such as festivals and battles
When would Romans have taken the auspices?
Before battle, marriage or business transaction
What does pontifex mean?
Bridge-builder
What was the punishment if the Vestals broke their vow of chastity?
Buried alive; man involved was whipped to death
What privileges did the Vestals have? (5 points)
House in forum; front row seats at some games; own property; make wills; vote
What signs did a haruspex look for?
How the animal fell; smoke and flames when it was burnt; entrails, particularly liver - any abnormalities such as blood spots on surface
Where did the Vestals live?
In the House of the Vestals in the forum
Why was it important for the Vestals to protect the sacred flame?
It was believed that, if the flame went out, Troy would fall
How did Roman priests differ from Greek ones?
Not assigned to specific god or temple; veiled their head when performing duties
Who was eligible to become Pontifex Maximus?
One of the college of pontifices; but it was always the emperor after Augustus
Who headed the college of Pontifices?
Pontifex Maximus
Who selected Vestal Virgins
Pontifex Maximus
Which was the most important college of priests?
Pontifices
What were the three main colleges of priests?
Pontifices; augurs; Vestals
What was the job of the Vestal Virgins? (4 points)
Priestesses of Vesta; protecting the sacred flame in Vesta's temple; looking after important documents kept in the temple; making mola salsa.
What were the main duties of the pontifices?
Protect temples; regulate burial and inheritance laws; supervise religious calendar
What was a haruspex?
Read entrails of sacrificed animals
How did Roman priests fulfil their role (3 points)?
Saying correct prayers, completing appropriate sacrifice, fulfilling role at festivals
What was the main duty of an augur?
Taking the auspices - reading the flight of birds, behaviour of animals, direction of thunder
What was the main role of Roman priests?
To uphold the pax deorum - the relationship between men and gods
What was the punsihment if the Vestals let the sacred flame go out?
Whipped
hiereus
a greek priest 'one who sacrifices to a god'
hiereia
a greek priestess 'one who sacrifices to a god'
mantis/manteis
an entrail reader
who became priests in Greece
it was a temporary role that required to special training. to show their commitment, a good citizen would hope to become a priest of their local god at least once in their life. ordinary free-born athenians, some were elected. one would have to resign if your children died. had to be free from physical defect. male gods had male priest, female gods had female priests
differences between Greek and modern day priests
modern day priests: full time workers, must undergo religious training, part of a community, no strict guidelines about who can become a priest ancient day priests: part-time workers, independent of each other and just connected to their individual temple, strict guidelines about who could become a priest, examined at the end of their term of office
What were the auspices?
reading the flight of birds, behaviour of animals, direction of thunder to determine the will of the gods
rewards of being a priest in Greece
some would receive special treatment and be greatly honoured. some would receive money from 'predicting the future' from being a mantis. it is part-time do doesn't interfere with normal life. some priests had special seats in the theatre (Priest of Dionysus) and others had places of honour at festivals and in processions
duties of priests in Greece
to undertake and oversee the correct ritual at the correct time and assist in the upkeep of their temple. supervise washing and robing of cult statues. look after temple and make sure the god is happy
