DOCSLIB.ORG

Liquids in Temple Ritual

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Liquids in Temple Ritual UCLA UCLA Encyclopedia of Egyptology Title Liquids in Temple Ritual Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7gh1n151 Journal UCLA Encyclopedia of Egyptology, 1(1) Author Poo, Mu-Chou Publication Date 2010-09-25 Peer reviewed eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California LIQUIDS IN TEMPLE RITUAL السوائل بطقوس المعابد Mu-chou Poo EDITORS WILLEKE WENDRICH Editor-in-Chief Area Editor Material Culture University of California, Los Angeles JACCO DIELEMAN Editor University of California, Los Angeles ELIZABETH FROOD Editor University of Oxford JOHN BAINES Senior Editorial Consultant University of Oxford Short Citation: Poo 2010, Liquids in Temple Ritual. UEE. Full Citation: Poo, Mu-chou, 2010, Liquids in Temple Ritual. In Willeke Wendrich (ed.), UCLA Encyclopedia of Egyptology, Los Angeles. http://digital2.library.ucla.edu/viewItem.do?ark=21198/zz0025dxbr 1088 Version 1, September 2010 http://digital2.library.ucla.edu/viewItem.do?ark=21198/zz0025dxbr LIQUIDS IN TEMPLE RITUAL السوائل بطقوس المعابد Mu-chou Poo Flüssigkeiten im Tempelritual Les liquides utilisés dans les rituels du temple In ancient Egypt the liquids most commonly used in temple rituals included wine, beer, milk, and water. The meaning of the ritual act was intimately related to the nature of the liquid employed, as well as to whatever religious and mythological associations the liquid was known to possess. With the exception of beer, all the ritual offerings of liquids were connected in some way with the idea of rejuvenation. كانت أكثر السوائل المستخدمة بالطقوس بالمعابد ھي النبيذ والجعة والحليب والماء، فكان مغزى الطقسه مرتبط بطبيعة السائل المستخدم وأيضاً متعلق باﻹرتباطات الدينية واﻷسطورية المعروفة عن ھذا السائل. لقد إرتبطت التقدمة الطقسية للسوائل، فيما عدا الجعة، بفكرة التجديد بطريقة أو بأخرى. he ritual offerings in Egyptian Of the numerous rituals recorded on temple temples and funerary settings walls, the offering of liquids occupied a rather T constitute an important part of large proportion. Here we discuss four kinds the outward expressions of Egyptian piety. In of liquids employed in temple rituals: wine, temple rituals in particular, according to the beer, milk, and water. The meaning of an images preserved on temple walls, we know individual ritual act was intimately related to that often, though not always, each ritual act the nature of the liquid employed, as well as was accompanied by a series of incantations to whatever religious and mythological (often inscribed on the wall beside the associations the liquid was known to have. images), including the title of the ritual, the Certain deities might have some particular ritual liturgy, and the reply of the deity who connections with a particular offering, as we was receiving the ritual performance or shall see below. Yet as far as we can tell, there offering. Although there is still some could be multiple recipients for the same kind uncertainty regarding whether the temple of offering, and a particular deity could reliefs represent actual ritual acts (Poo 2007), receive multiple offerings at different times. most scholars agree that the meaning of the rituals can be deciphered, at least partially, by Wine examining these texts. Although these ritual Wine was often an important item in funerary liturgies had a long-standing textual tradition and temple cults. From as early as the Old that can be traced as far back as the Pyramid Kingdom, wine was regularly mentioned in Texts, most of the best-preserved texts were offering lists as part of the funerary from the Ptolemaic and Roman temples. The establishment (Barta 1963). In temple rituals, present discussion, therefore, mostly utilizes wine was also often offered to various deities. texts from this period. In the pyramid temple of Fifth Dynasty king Liquids in Temple Ritual, Poo, UEE 2010 1 Sahura, for example, the king was shown (Hornung 1982). Although beer was featured offering wine to the goddess Sakhmet in the story, the effect of alcoholic drink in (Borchardt 1910: 126). Besides its general general was probably what made wine (and significance as an item that pleased the deities, beer) an important temple offering, the offering of wine took on certain specific particularly in connection with the honoring religious and mythological associations. of the goddess Hathor-Sakhmet. Already in the Pyramid Texts, Osiris was In another mythological story about Hathor- mentioned as the “Lord of Wine in the Wag Tefnut, or the Eye of Ra, the god Ra Festival” (PT Spell 442: §820a). The Wag commanded that his daughter, the lioness Festival was celebrated at the beginning of the Hathor-Tefnut, be brought back to Egypt inundation, on the 17th, 18th, or 19th of Thoth, from Nubia (Junker 1911: 7). Parallel to the the first month of inundation (Schott 1950: story of the Destruction of Mankind, Thoth 39ff.). The festival itself was a funerary feast and Shu were assigned the mission. After that was probably aimed at the celebration of Hathor was brought back to Egypt, her wild the resurrection of life that the inundation and bloodthirsty nature needed to be brought. Since Osiris epitomized resurrection, appeased with dance and music, and the there may be a certain connection between offering of wine (Daumas 1970). As Greek Osiris as the god of vegetation and and Roman authors noted, the Nile water rejuvenation and the symbolic coming to life turned red during the inundation, which of the grapevine. The fact that wine suggests the color of wine (Bonneau 1964: production depended upon the coming of the 65ff.). As Hathor’s return to Egypt (according inundation might therefore have fostered the to the mythological story) corresponded to meaning of wine as a symbol of life and the rise of the Nile waters—which not only rejuvenation. A text in the Ptolemaic temple resembled wine in color, but could in fact of Edfu contains the following sentence: “The bring a prosperous harvest of grapes and vineyard flourishes in Edfu, the inundation wine—it is fitting that she be referred to as rejoices at what is in it. It bears fruit with the Mistress of Drunkenness and identified more grapes than [the sand of] the riverbanks. with the inundation. They [the grapes] are made into wine for your storage . .” (Chassinat and Rochemonteix: On the other hand, when we examine the Edfou VII: 278). Thus the relationship numerous offering scenes on the temple walls, between the inundation and the production of it becomes clear that, as a common offering, wine is clearly stated. wine could be offered to many deities other than Hathor. The religious meaning of wine, On the day following the Wag Festival, moreover, was not limited to the allusions to there was, at least in the Ptolemaic and the mythological stories related to Hathor, or Roman Periods, a festival of “the to its intoxicating nature, important as it was Drunkenness of Hathor” celebrated at in many ancient cultures, but had wider Dendara. The calendar of festivals at Edfu significance. The color of wine, when it was alludes to the relationship between Hathor red, and even disregarding its association with and the inundation: “It is her [Hathor’s] the mythological story, already suggested an father, Ra, who created it for her when she association with blood and the life-giving came from Nubia, so that the inundation is force of nature. As this association was not given to Egypt” (Alliot 1949: 216; see also limited to ancient Egyptian culture, it is all the Derchain 1972: 21 - 23). more possible to believe that the symbolic In the Ptolemaic and Roman temples, association of wine and blood did exist in Hathor-Sakhmet was often referred to as Egypt. The winepress god, Shesmu, for “Lady of Drunkenness,” and this epithet was example, was referred to as bringing wine to often regarded as an allusion to the famous Osiris on the one hand—“Shesmu comes to story “The Destruction of Mankind” you [Osiris] bearing wine” (PT Spell 581: Liquids in Temple Ritual, Poo, UEE 2010 2 §1552a)—and on the other hand he was alluded to in the beer-offering liturgies. What shown pressing the blood of the enemies with were emphasized in the offering liturgies were the winepress (Poo 1995: 151 - 152; Schott concerns regarding the correctness and 1938). It is reasonable to suspect here an meticulousness with which the beer was allusion to the grape juice being pressed from brewed: the winepress. Take the sweet beer, the supply for your majesty, Moreover, offering liturgies testify that wine which is brewed correctly. How sweet is its taste, how was regarded metaphorically as the “Green sweet is its smell! (Chassinat and Daumas: Eye of Horus”—that is, the power of Dendara VII: 130). rejuvenation: “Take to yourself wine—the How beautiful are these beer jars, which are brewed Green Horus Eye. May your ka be filled with at the correct time, which fill your ka at the time of what is created for you...” (Chassinat and your wish. May your heart be joyful daily (Chassinat Rochemonteix: Edfou I: 258). And reference and Daumas: Dendara VI: 163: 9 - 11). to the contending of Horus and Seth can also be found in the liturgy of wine-offering: Take for yourself the wonderful beer, which the noble one has brewed with her hands, with the beautiful Take to yourself the wine that was produced in plant from Geb and myrrh from Nepy (Chassinat Kharga, O noble Falcon. Your wedjat-eye is sound and Rochemonteix: Edfou I: 367: 9 - 11). and supplied with provision; secure it for yourself from Seth. May you be powerful by means of it . may The deities’ emphasis on the proper brewing you be divine by means of it more than any god of beer is interesting, since the production of (Chassinat and Rochemonteix: Edfou V: 150).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Ancient Religions: Public Worship of the Greeks and Romans by E.M
    Ancient Religions: Public worship of the Greeks and Romans By E.M. Berens, adapted by Newsela staff on 10.07.16 Word Count 1,250 Level 1190L TOP: The temple and oracle of Apollo, called the Didymaion in Didyma, an ancient Greek sanctuary on the coast of Ionia (now Turkey), Wikimedia Commons. MIDDLE: The copper statue of Zeus of Artemision in the National Archaeological Museum, Athens, Greece. BOTTOM: Engraving shows the Oracle of Delphi, bathed in shaft of light atop a pedestal and surrounded by cloaked figures, Delphi, Greece. Getty Images. Temples Long ago, the Greeks had no shrines or sanctuaries for public worship. They performed their devotions beneath the vast and boundless canopy of heaven, in the great temple of nature itself. Believing that their gods lived above in the clouds, worshippers naturally searched for the highest available points to place themselves in the closest communion possible with their gods. Therefore, the summits of high mountains were selected for devotional purposes. The inconvenience of worshipping outdoors gradually suggested the idea of building temples that would offer shelter from bad weather. These first temples were of the most simple form, without decoration. As the Greeks became a wealthy and powerful people, temples were built and adorned with great splendor and magnificence. So massively were they constructed that some of them have withstood the ravages of This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. time. The city of Athens especially contains numerous remains of these buildings of antiquity. These ruins are most valuable since they are sufficiently complete to enable archaeologists to study the plan and character of the original structures.
    [Show full text]
  • The Lesser Mysteries of Eleusis Stefanie Goodart, M.A., S.R.C
    The Lesser Mysteries of Eleusis Stefanie Goodart, M.A., S.R.C he town of Eleusis, twelve miles from Haides as an uninitiate and non-participant Athens, was home to the famous in the initiation rites will lie in mud, but he TEleusinian Mysteries. People would or she who has been both purified and has come from all parts of Greece to be initiated into participated in the initiation rites, upon this cult of “The Two Goddesses,” Demeter and arrival there, will dwell with the gods.”4 Persephone. The Mysteries consisted of two parts, Scholars have reason to believe that prior the Lesser Mysteries, which were conducted in to the fifth century BCE, these purification the spring (Athenian month of Anthesterion), rituals took place in the courtyard of the and the Greater Mysteries, which took place in Eleusinian Telesterion.5 However, there were the autumn (Athenian month of Boedromion). also very similar purification rituals that were The Lesser Mysteries can best be taking place in Athens, near the Ilissos River. characterized as a preliminary purification Around the middle of the fifth century, the that a candidate must undergo before sacred officials from Eleusis decided that taking part in the Greater Mysteries.1 Even the Athenian purifications could serve as Socrates comments that one is not permitted the necessary prerequisite to the Greater 6 to be initiated into the Greater Mysteries Mysteries. Thus, a new tradition began, without having first been initiated into the in which candidates underwent the initial 7 Lesser.2 Plutarch wrote that “in mystery purifications in Athens in the spring.
    [Show full text]
  • The Higher Aspects of Greek Religion. Lectures Delivered at Oxford and In
    BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME FROM THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIET OF Henirg m. Sage 1891 .A^^^ffM3. islm^lix.. 5931 CornelJ University Library BL 25.H621911 The higher aspects of Greek religion.Lec 3 1924 007 845 450 The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924007845450 THE HIBBERT LECTURES SECOND SERIES 1911 THE HIBBERT LECTURES SECOND SERIES THE HIGHER ASPECTS OF GREEK RELIGION LECTURES DELIVERED AT OXFORD AND IN LONDON IN APRIL AND MAY igii BY L. R. FARNELL, D.Litt. WILDE LECTURER IN THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD LONDON WILLIAMS AND NORGATE GARDEN, W.C. 14 HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT 1912 CONTENTS Lecture I GENERAL FEATURES AND ORIGINS OF GREEK RELIGION Greek religion mainly a social-political system, 1. In its earliest " period a " theistic creed, that is^ a worship of personal individual deities, ethical personalities rather than mere nature forces, 2. Anthrqgomorphism its predominant bias, 2-3. Yet preserving many primitive features of " animism " or " animatism," 3-5. Its progress gradual without violent break with its distant past, 5-6. The ele- ment of magic fused with the religion but not predominant, 6-7. Hellenism and Hellenic religion a blend of two ethnic strains, one North-Aryan, the other Mediterranean, mainly Minoan-Mycenaean, 7-9. Criteria by which we can distinguish the various influences of these two, 9-1 6. The value of Homeric evidence, 18-20. Sum- mary of results, 21-24. Lecture II THE RELIGIOUS BOND AND MORALITY OF THE FAMILY The earliest type of family in Hellenic society patrilinear, 25-27.
    [Show full text]
  • The Eleusinian Mysteries
    © 2004 Frater E.V. - SRC&SSA Splendor Solis - No. II - 6 i & - 2004 A.D. The Eleusinian Mysteries his paper is no more than a write-up seriously interested to work out what the of notes I made for a group discussion Eleusinian myths and initiations are trying to Tof the Eleusinian Mysteries. Firstly I convey. give the myth around which the mysteries were based. I think I have told the basic story with From the foregoing it will be gleaned that the accuracy, but there are complications and final section is tentative and speculative in na- additions I have left out. These additions ture, and, as such, open to doubt and revision. make no material difference to the overall tale, and are actually bits and pieces of other myths The Myth tacked onto the main story at various times in history. One day Persephone (Proserpine, Cora, Kore) was gathering flowers with a group of The second section gives a brief outline of companions, and all was well until Persephone the basic format of the Lesser and Greater started to pick a lovely bunch of Narcissi. Mysteries. This is to provide a context for my Pluto (Hades), God of the Underworld, discussion of the more important matters, at noticed her, thought her very beautiful and, least as far as Golden Dawn initiates are with the permission of Zeus, abducted, raped concerned, which are the mystic initiations and carried Persephone away to his Under- themselves. Most of what is known of the world abode of gloom. Eleusinian Mysteries are the places and details of the exoteric celebrations; the more inte- Demeter (Ceres), the mother of Persephone, resting parts of the mysteries were jealously rushed to assist her daughter, but arrived too guarded secrets that were not to be revealed late, not even able to catch a glimpse of her to the outside World, and so little detail is seducer.
    [Show full text]
  • Queen Arsinoë II, the Maritime Aphrodite and Early Ptolemaic Ruler Cult
    ΑΡΣΙΝΟΗ ΕΥΠΛΟΙΑ Queen Arsinoë II, the Maritime Aphrodite and Early Ptolemaic Ruler Cult Carlos Francis Robinson Bachelor of Arts (Hons. 1) A thesis submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy at The University of Queensland in 2019 Historical and Philosophical Inquiry Abstract Queen Arsinoë II, the Maritime Aphrodite and Early Ptolemaic Ruler Cult By the early Hellenistic period a trend was emerging in which royal women were deified as Aphrodite. In a unique innovation, Queen Arsinoë II of Egypt (c. 316 – 270 BC) was deified as the maritime Aphrodite, and was associated with the cult titles Euploia, Akraia, and Galenaië. It was the important study of Robert (1966) which identified that the poets Posidippus and Callimachus were honouring Arsinoë II as the maritime Aphrodite. This thesis examines how this new third-century BC cult of ‘Arsinoë Aphrodite’ adopted aspects of Greek cults of the maritime Aphrodite, creating a new derivative cult. The main historical sources for this cult are the epigrams of Posidippus and Callimachus, including a relatively new epigram (Posidippus AB 39) published in 2001. This thesis demonstrates that the new cult of Arsinoë Aphrodite utilised existing traditions, such as: Aphrodite’s role as patron of fleets, the practice of dedications to Aphrodite by admirals, the use of invocations before sailing, and the practice of marine dedications such as shells. In this way the Ptolemies incorporated existing religious traditions into a new form of ruler cult. This study is the first attempt to trace the direct relationship between Ptolemaic ruler cult and existing traditions of the maritime Aphrodite, and deepens our understanding of the strategies of ruler cult adopted in the early Hellenistic period.
    [Show full text]
  • Leto As Mother: Representations of Leto with Apollo and Artemis in Attic Vase Painting of the Fifth Century B.C
    https://publications.dainst.org iDAI.publications ELEKTRONISCHE PUBLIKATIONEN DES DEUTSCHEN ARCHÄOLOGISCHEN INSTITUTS Dies ist ein digitaler Sonderdruck des Beitrags / This is a digital offprint of the article Lavinia Foukara Leto as Mother: Representations of Leto with Apollo and Artemis in Attic Vase Painting of the Fifth Century B.C. aus / from Archäologischer Anzeiger Ausgabe / Issue Seite / Page 63–83 https://publications.dainst.org/journals/aa/2027/6626 • urn:nbn:de:0048-journals.aa-2017-1-p63-83-v6626.5 Verantwortliche Redaktion / Publishing editor Redaktion der Zentrale | Deutsches Archäologisches Institut Weitere Informationen unter / For further information see https://publications.dainst.org/journals/aa ISSN der Online-Ausgabe / ISSN of the online edition 2510-4713 ISSN der gedruckten Ausgabe / ISSN of the printed edition Verlag / Publisher Ernst Wasmuth Verlag GmbH & Co. Tübingen ©2019 Deutsches Archäologisches Institut Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Zentrale, Podbielskiallee 69–71, 14195 Berlin, Tel: +49 30 187711-0 Email: [email protected] / Web: dainst.org Nutzungsbedingungen: Mit dem Herunterladen erkennen Sie die Nutzungsbedingungen (https://publications.dainst.org/terms-of-use) von iDAI.publications an. Die Nutzung der Inhalte ist ausschließlich privaten Nutzerinnen / Nutzern für den eigenen wissenschaftlichen und sonstigen privaten Gebrauch gestattet. Sämtliche Texte, Bilder und sonstige Inhalte in diesem Dokument unterliegen dem Schutz des Urheberrechts gemäß dem Urheberrechtsgesetz der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Die Inhalte können von Ihnen nur dann genutzt und vervielfältigt werden, wenn Ihnen dies im Einzelfall durch den Rechteinhaber oder die Schrankenregelungen des Urheberrechts gestattet ist. Jede Art der Nutzung zu gewerblichen Zwecken ist untersagt. Zu den Möglichkeiten einer Lizensierung von Nutzungsrechten wenden Sie sich bitte direkt an die verantwortlichen Herausgeberinnen/Herausgeber der entsprechenden Publikationsorgane oder an die Online-Redaktion des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts ([email protected]).
    [Show full text]
  • THE ELEUSINIAN MYSTERIES of DEMETER and PERSEPHONE: Fertility, Sexuality, Ancl Rebirth Mara Lynn Keller
    THE ELEUSINIAN MYSTERIES OF DEMETER AND PERSEPHONE: Fertility, Sexuality, ancl Rebirth Mara Lynn Keller The story of Demeter and Persephone, mother and daugher naturc goddesses, provides us with insights into the core beliefs by which earl) agrarian peoples of the Mediterranean related to “the creative forces of thc universe”-which some people call God, or Goddess.’ The rites of Demetei and Persephone speak to the experiences of life that remain through all time< the most mysterious-birth, sexuality, death-and also to the greatest niys tery of all, enduring love. In these ceremonies, women and inen expressec joy in the beauty and abundance of nature, especially the bountiful harvest in personal love, sexuality and procreation; and in the rebirth of the humail spirit, even through suffering and death. Cicero wrote of these rites: “Wc have been given a reason not only to live in joy, but also to die with bettei hope. ”2 The Mother Earth religion ceIebrated her children’s birth, enjoyment of life and loving return to her in death. The Earth both nourished the living and welcomed back into her body the dead. As Aeschylus wrote in TIic Libation Bearers: Yea, summon Earth, who brings all things to life and rears, and takes again into her womb.3 I wish to express my gratitude for the love and wisdom of my mother, hlary 1’. Keller, and of Dr. Muriel Chapman. They have been invaluable soiirces of insight and under- standing for me in these studies. So also have been the scholarship, vision atdot- friendship of Carol €! Christ, Charlene Spretnak, Deem Metzger, Carol Lee Saiichez, Ruby Rohrlich, Starhawk, Jane Ellen Harrison, Kiane Eisler, Alexis Masters, Richard Trapp, John Glanville, Judith Plaskow, Jim Syfers, Jim Moses, Bonnie blacCregor and Lil Moed.
    [Show full text]
  • The Oresteia of Aeschylus
    The Oresteia of Aeschylus The Libation Bearers Translated in verse by Robin Bond (2014) University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand The Oresteia of Aeschylus : The Libation Bearers by Robin Bond (Trans) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Available at: http://hdl.handle.net/10092/10503 The Libation Bearers Dramatis Personae Orestes, son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra Pylades, his friend Electra, his sister Chorus of foreign serving women A servant (doorkeeper) Clytemnestra, now wife of Aegisthus Cilissa the Nurse Aegisthus A follower of Aegisthus Various attendants (all silent) The Oresteia of Aeschylus : The Libation Bearers Page 2 Orestes Lord Hermes, guide to the dead and guardian of my father's realm be now my safeguard and companion in answer to my prayers. For I have come back home, returned to this land of mine Here at the mound of my father's tomb I speak aloud to him, that he may hear and mark my words... one lock of hair I dedicate to Inachus who reared me, and here a second lock to mark my grief... I was not here to grieve your fate in person, father, nor did I stretch out my hand to carry out your corpse. But what is this I see? What is this group of women 10 that hurries along all dressed in robes of black? What chance event should I imagine to have taken place? Or does some fresh disaster tyrannize the house? Perhaps these women bring my father gifts and offerings to pour for him as please the dead? That is the truth and nothing else; for there I do believe I see Electra.
    [Show full text]
  • The Patriarchal Nature of Justice in the Oresteia Monideepa Talukdar
    The Patriarchal Nature of Justice in The Oresteia Monideepa Talukdar Course: Honors 311 Instructor: George Dorrill Essay Type: Literary Analysis The Oresteia trilogy, which includes the plays Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, and The Eumenides, has justice as its central theme. Aeschylus wrote these plays sometime during the period after the end of the Persian wars, when the star of Athens was on its ascendancy. It was the dawn of a new age, marked by the establishment of a new socio-political order based on democracy and the rule of law. The rule of law meant the institutionalization of justice. Justice was no longer a personal responsibility to be meted out according to the rule of family vendetta - blood for blood; it was now a state responsibility embodied in the law that the state, representing the community as a whole, set down. It was a step forward in the direction of realizing a more peaceful and orderly coexistence. However, this institutionalization of justice was also a step forward in the institutionalization of male dominance. The rule of law also came to stand for the rule of man over woman: patriarchy. This must not be understood to mean that the subjugation of women began with the emergence of the legal order, or other social institutions, for women had been relegated to an inferior status in society long before that. But as long as the family was the sovereign unit of society, the nerve centre of social life, women had voice and representation. However, with the shifting of power from the family to the polis, and the organization of society into complex formal institutions that assumed authority to set down rules governing social life, the alienation and marginalization of women was complete.
    [Show full text]
  • Ritual for Hekate's Deipnon
    Ritual for the Panathenaia (First day) 23 Hekatombaion Ritual washing Ritual washing with invocation to Okeanos Okeanos whose nature ever flows, from whom at first both Gods and men arose; sire incorruptible, whose waves surround, and earth’s all-terminating circle bound: hence every river, hence the spreading sea, and earth’s pure bubbling fountains spring from thee. Hear, mighty sire, for boundless bliss is thine, greatest cathartic of the powers divine: earth’s friendly limit, fountain of the pole, whose waves wide spreading and circumfluent roll. Approach benevolent, with placid mind, and be forever to thy mystics kind. Purification – khernips (holy water) sprinkled from a bay branch – “Be gone all corruption and evil” (three times). “Blessed Okeanos, may your bright waters purify this space, and prepare both me, and it, for the rites that are about to unfold.” Euphemia sto, euphemia sto, eukhomai tois Theois pasi kai pasais. (Let there be words of good omen, Let there be words of good omen, pray to the Gods and Goddesses.) Who is present? Those attending answer: All good people! Lighting of the lamp for Hestia with invocation: Daughter of Kronos, You whose eternal flame illumines all our worship, come to this oikos with blessings . Lighting of the sacrificial fire Libation of honey sweet wine Homeric Hymn 24 to Hestia To Hestia Hestia, you that tend the far-shooting lord Apollo’s sacred house at holy Pytho, from your locks the oozing oil ever drips down. Come to this house in kindly (?) heart, together with Zeus the resourceful, and bestow beauty on my singing.
    [Show full text]
  • Analyzing Two Domains of Dionysus in Greek Polytheism
    Philomathes Two Sides of the Dice: Analyzing Two Domains of Dionysus in Greek Polytheism T he study of religion in ancient Greece is complicated by the fact that, unlike modern world religions with ancient roots, there is no “holy doctrine” to which scholars can refer. Although they shared a complex pantheon of gods, ancient Greek city- states were never a unified political empire; instead of a globalized dogma, religion was localized within each polis, whose inhabitants developed their own unique variations on “Greek” religious rituals and beliefs.1 The multiplex natures of ancient Greek gods compounds the problem; it is a monumental task to study all aspects of all deities in the Greek world. As a result, scholarship often focuses solely on a single popular aspect or well-known cult of a god or goddess — such as Apollo Pythios of Delphi or Athena Parthenos of Athens, neglecting other facets of the gods’ cult and personality.2 Greek religion, 1 As Jon D. Mikalson states in Athenian Popular Religion (Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, 1983), 4, “In varying degrees Sparta, Corinth, Thebes, Athens and the other city-states differed from one another in political, social, and economic structure, and it is only reasonable to assume that they also differed in some extent in their religion … One should be wary of assuming that a religious belief or practice must have been current in all the city-states and among all Greek simply because it is attested for one city-state.” 2 Apollo is generally remembered as the god of prophecy because of his oracle and cult in Delphi.
    [Show full text]
  • GREEK RELIGION Walter Burkert
    GREEK RELIGION Walter Burkert Translated by John Raffan r Harvard University Press Cambridge, Massachusetts THINGS’ ANIMAL SACRIFICE II t . I ‘WORKING SACRED 55 diverted activity for the apathy which remains transfixed in reality; it lays claim to the highest seriousness, to the absolute. II When considered from the point of view of the goal, ritual behaviour appears as magic. For a science of religion which regards only instrumental 4 since acts action as meaningful, magic must be seen as the origin of religion, Ritual and Sanctuary which seek to achieve a given goal in an unclear but direct way are magical. The goal then appears to be the attainment of all desirable boons and the elimination of possible impediments: there is rain magic, fertility magic, love magic, and destructive magic. The conception of ritual as a kind of language, however, leads beyond this constraining artifice; magic is present only insofar as ritual is consciously placed in the service of some end — which may then undoubtedly affect the form of the ritual. Religious ritual is given as a collective institution; the individual participates within the framework of social communication, with the strongest motivating force being the need not in the study of religion which came to be generally acknowledged to stand apart. Conscious magic is a matter for individuals, for the few, and An insight are more important and end of the last century is that rituals is developed accordingly into a highly complicated pseudo-science. In early towards the ancient religions than are instructive for the understanding of the Greece, where the cult belongs in the communal, public sphere, the more is no longer seen in myths.’ With this recognition, antiquity importance of magic is correspondingly minimal.
    [Show full text]