RELIGION, DEATH AND BURIAL |
Religion, death and burial, including:
* gods and goddesses: Artemis Orthia, Poseidon, Apollo * myths and legends: Lycurgus and the Dioscuri * festivals: Hyakinthia, Gymnopaedia, Karneia * religious role of the kings – funerary customs and rituals |
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The ancient Spartans have been commonly labelled as a pious people, with a devotion to their belief systems that goes hand in hand with their belief in an origin story. Theirs was Lykurgus and the Great Rhetra.
This Lakonian gravestone is far from the correct time or place, but the simplicity echoes of what would be expected of a Spartan death. Reserved for those in battle or those in childbirth, the 'NA' in this case is an initial. |
Gods and Goddesses: Artemis Orthia, Poseidon, Apollo
Other gods of importance in Sparta were, Apollo Karneios, Apollo of Amyclae, Artemis Orthia, Athena Chalkioikos, Helen, Leucippides and Lykourgos. Most Spartan gods were armed.
Sparta lacked major public buildings and temples like those found in Athens. The Temple of Artemis Orthia was out of sight near the Eurotas River.
The temple of Athena of the bronze house stood in the north-eastern part on the acropolis, which was only a small raised incline.
The Menelaion was situated in the Parnon ranges looking across the Eurotas valley.
The shrine of Apollo at Amyclae was approximately six kilometres from Sparta.
Sparta lacked major public buildings and temples like those found in Athens. The Temple of Artemis Orthia was out of sight near the Eurotas River.
The temple of Athena of the bronze house stood in the north-eastern part on the acropolis, which was only a small raised incline.
The Menelaion was situated in the Parnon ranges looking across the Eurotas valley.
The shrine of Apollo at Amyclae was approximately six kilometres from Sparta.
Myths and Legends: Lykurgus and the Dioscuri
Lykurgus
• Lykourgos as well as Alpheios and Maron, two heroes of Thermopylae were worshipped. The will of the gods was interpreted by oracles. • The Spartans were in charge of the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi in central Greece. Delphi was consulted about matters concerning state affairs. Dioscuri • Particularly important to the Spartans were the mythical twin Spartan heroes the Dioscuri: Castor and Polydeuces. They were associated with young men, horsemanship, athletics and warfare. • The Spartans believed that the twin brothers were patrons to their city – owing to their link with Tyndareus (Trojan War). • Having different fathers, the twins after the death of Castor persuaded Zeus that they could share their immortality. As a result they spent alternate days in Hades and with the other gods of Mount Olympus. “…In the Dromos are two gymnastic schools… not far away are sanctuaries of the Dioscuri…" - PAUSANIUS |
Votive relief sculptures depicting the Dioscuri. Archaeological Museum of Sparta
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Festivals: Hyakinthia, Karnaeia, Gymnopedia,
Attitude to Religion, Festivals
The Spartans’ attitude to religion was very serious, as indicated by Herodotus as he tells how the Spartans would not “March with all the troops at their disposal” to the battle of Marathon until the conclusion of their festival, the Karneia. The three most important Spartan religious festivals were the Karneia, Gymnopaedia and the Hyakinthia.
The Karneia was a harvest festival, celebrated for nine days in August. It celebrated the foundation of Sparta and various military events. In the celebration some citizens carried model rafts to symbolise the coming of the Dorians. Another event was the foot-race in which a young man was chased by other unmarried men to determine an omen for the state. Modern scholars have interpreted the Karneia as a reflection of military training, emphasising heroic exploits.
The Gymnopaedia was a festival held in the Spartan agora to commemorate the battle of Thyrea, fought against Argos in 550BC. It featured Choral performances. It has been interpreted as a rite of passage for Spartan boys.
The Hyakinthia was held at the ancient shrine of Amyclae, at a huge statue of Apollo. The festival revolved around mourning for Hyakinthos and praising Apollo. The first stage involved rites of sorrow and mourning, with a ban placed on joyful songs. The second part involved rejoicing in honour of Apollo, with choral song and dance. The festival has been interpreted as a festival for the dead combined with thanksgiving for life.
The Spartans’ attitude to religion was very serious, as indicated by Herodotus as he tells how the Spartans would not “March with all the troops at their disposal” to the battle of Marathon until the conclusion of their festival, the Karneia. The three most important Spartan religious festivals were the Karneia, Gymnopaedia and the Hyakinthia.
The Karneia was a harvest festival, celebrated for nine days in August. It celebrated the foundation of Sparta and various military events. In the celebration some citizens carried model rafts to symbolise the coming of the Dorians. Another event was the foot-race in which a young man was chased by other unmarried men to determine an omen for the state. Modern scholars have interpreted the Karneia as a reflection of military training, emphasising heroic exploits.
The Gymnopaedia was a festival held in the Spartan agora to commemorate the battle of Thyrea, fought against Argos in 550BC. It featured Choral performances. It has been interpreted as a rite of passage for Spartan boys.
The Hyakinthia was held at the ancient shrine of Amyclae, at a huge statue of Apollo. The festival revolved around mourning for Hyakinthos and praising Apollo. The first stage involved rites of sorrow and mourning, with a ban placed on joyful songs. The second part involved rejoicing in honour of Apollo, with choral song and dance. The festival has been interpreted as a festival for the dead combined with thanksgiving for life.
Religious roles of the kings - funerary customs and rituals
• The king served as chief priest. But others must have existed who served on a daily basis.
• A Spartiate could sacrifice and make offerings to the gods in his own home; he could also conduct his devotions at shrines. “The people proclaim that after a king dies he was the best they ever had, if he dies in battle a statue of him is made and carry it to burial on a rich-draped bier. No public meetings of elections are held for 10 days after a king’s burial.”
– Herodotus.
• Ordinary Spartans had simple funerals.
• The only groups allowed inscribed graves were men who died in battle and women, in childbirth. • According to Plutarch, Lykurgos allowed mortuary temples within the city walls,"...so that people would not fear death." |