Explain Funerary Customs in Sparta at This Time
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Explain funerary customs in Sparta at this time For a question worth 5 marks It was believed that all souls passed on to the underworld realm known as Hades – not just those who had been bad during life. Tartaros (hell) was a realm below Hades where disobedient lesser gods were sent for punishment. Elysium (heaven) was a wondrous realm located at the western end of the earth and inhabited by those in favour of Zeus. The river Styx ran around the perimeter of Hades seven times. Charon, the ferryman of the dead, would call out the names of the places within Hades that the boat would be sailing to. Charon also ferried souls across the river Styx. A coin was usually placed in the mouth as payment to Charon for ferrying the deceased across the Styx. A Greek funeral was carried out in three stages: the body was prepared and laid out (prothesus or wake), The body was moved to the place where it would be interred (ekphora or procession), The body or cremated remains were deposited in the tomb or grave. Spartiates only Death was only worthy if you dies on campaign or in childbirth You only had your name inscribed if you died in this way Funeral rites for kings Death was announced throughout the land Women going through the city beat cauldrons One man and one woman in each household had to put on mourning clothes or would be heavily fined. Spartans, Perioikoi and helots were obliged to attend the funeral They beat foreheads as a sign of grief, wailing and moaning Cried that the dead king was the best king that they ever head.