Religion, Death and Burial

- STRICT ADHERENCE: in the ancient world the Spartans were noted for their serious attitude to religion and their obedience to gods

- SPECIAL GODS: all Greeks acknowledged the power of all the gods however each polis devoted most attention to those it believed the be special protectors of its community

- STRENGTH & POWER: they worshipped these particular gods because of their link to strength and power

Gods & goddesses Artemis Orthia- COMBINATION: Artemis Orthia was a combination of the two deities - ORTHIA: was an earlier Spartan goddess about whom little is known. The combining of the two

deities became a particular Spartan religious observance.- ARTEMIS: was Apollo’s twin sister and was regarded as:

The goddess of hunting, the forest and the moon Goddess of Chastity protector of women who were about to be married or approaching childbirth Infallible archer like her brother

- ARTEMIS SANCTUARIES: there were many Artemis sanctuaries including: The Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia near the Eurotas river The Sanctuary of Artemis Limnatis

Poseidon- POSEIDON: was the brother of Zeus and also regarded as:

god of sea and horses held responsible for earthquakes, so Greeks called him the “Earthshaker” e.g. the Spartans believed he sent an

earthquake in c. 464BC to punish them

- SANCTUARIES: he had several sanctuaries and temples including: Several sanctuaries of Poseidon in Laconia Poseidon and his wife Amphitrite were featured in bronze reliefs in the temple of Athena Also worshipped at the temple near Cape Taenaron

Apollo- APOLLO: was the son of Zeus and also regarded for:

he was recognised as the god of light, music and truth bringer of health also an archer god whose arrows never missed their heart

- MESSAGES: through his temple at Delphi, he was believed to send messages that influenced decisions of the entire Greek world

- SANCTUARIES: he had many sanctuaries to Apollo including: The Sanctuary of Apollo myklaios at Amaclae

Statue of Artemis

Statue of Apollo armed with a spear and bow

Myths and Legends Lycurgus - BIRTH: dates vary between the 9th to 7th century BC - RHETRA (reforms): the changes or reforms supposedly introduced by Lycurgus were in the form

of a Rhetra and probably date to the 7th century - CONFLICTING ACCOUNTS: have been given of most aspects of his life, particularly those relating

to his initiatives as a lawmaker - MODERN HISTORIANS SKEPTIC: differ on whether or not Lycurgus ever really lived they

suggest he may have been an amalgam of people who helped develop Sparta’s constitution over time

Dioscuri - TWO TWINS: in Greek mythology the Dioscuri were the twin sons

of Zeus and brothers of Helen of Troy Polydeuces (immortal): became a power boxer Castor: was a skilled horseman

- ZEUS + KING TYNDAREUS: Zeus in the form of a swan and Tyndareus, king of Sparta made love to her on the same night thus Polydeuces was immortal but Castor was mortal

- MANY ADENTURES: they had many adventured together such as rescuing Helen and accompanying Jason and the Argo

- SHARED IMMORTALITY: in the battle with the Messinian brothers Castor was killed Polyduces persuaded Zeus to allow him to share his immortality as a result their fate was to spend alternating days among the gods of mount Olympus and the mortal dead in Hades

- SPARTAN’S PATRONS/PROTECTORS: the Spartans believed that the Dioscuri were Spartan’s patrons and protectors

- DROMOS: there is a sanctuary of the Dioscuri and there were statues of the two brothers thousands of votive offerings have also been found particularly at Amyclae

Festivals- IMPORTANCE OF RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS: were an important part of Spartan life they were

useful in reinforcing the values of Spartan society the kings served as chief priests reinforcing the amalgamation of religion, government and social values

Hyakinthia- HYAKINTHIA FESTIVAL: this was a 3 day festival celebrated in early summer (July) in order to

mourn the death of Hyakinthus- THE STORY (mythology): Hyakinthos was a youth loved by Apollo and was killed accidently with

a discuss the follower of a red Hyacinth was believed to have originated from his blood - CELEBRATED AT AMACLAE: the festival was held at Amyclae near a huge statue of Apollo and

the tomb of Hyakinthos - TWO STAGES IN THE FESTIVAL: these were

Relief of the Dioscuri

1. Sorrow & Mourning for Hyakinthos: offerings were placed at the dead youths tomb and there was a special funeral meal

2. Involved rejoicing in Honour of Apollo: the wearing of wreaths, the singing of joyful songs, sacrifice to Apollo, a festive meal, a procession to Amyclae, choral song and dance.

- COMBINATION (Hooker): interpreted the festival as combining a commemoration of the dead with a thanksgiving of life

Gymnopaedia- GYMNOPAEDIA (‘the festival of the unarmed boys’): was a 5 day festival of dancing and

gymnastics (one day for each oba), closely linked to the Spartan training regime - DEFEAT AT ARGOS (c.669BC)/: it was held in honour of Apollo and Artemis and to

commemorate Sparta’s defeat by Argos at Hysiai it was the ‘most solemn of festivals’ Appease gods/remind Generations: some historians have suggested that is was held to appease the gods after

Sparta’s defeat and to remind future generations of the need to be prepared to avoid such defeats

- ARGORA: The festival was held in the Spartan agora (market place) in the heat of midsummer- INVOLVED: many features/rituals took place including:

Musical Competitions: for all ages including choral performances Images of Apollo/Artemis: boxing amongst boys and men Boxing/Gymnastics: for all ages

- ‘RITE OF PASSGAE’: it may have been a form of initiation into the harsh life of a Spartan soldier, into manhood In it we see the whole warrior code to initiate the young soldier to a life of physical excellence, a life that would involve enduring pain for the good of the Spartan state.

- NO WAR: under most circumstances the Spartans would not go to war during the time of the Gymnopaedia

Kerneia- KARNEIA: was an extremely important festival for the Spartans, it was harvest festival

celebrated for 9 days in late summer in the holy month of Karneios (August).It was the celebration of Doric migration, the colonisation of the city and of various military events

- ORIGIONS (mythology): the origins are obscure it was perhaps a celebration connected with the return of the sons of Herakles

- APOLLO KARNEIOS: it took the name of Apollo Karneios a horned god there is a story of a shepherd fattening a ram to be sacrificed to Apollo at the Karneia

- MEN DIVIDED (feast): the men were divided up into nine groups of three phratries who dined together and each occupied a skias, an area which contained tents where a feat was held.

- TWO MAIN RITUALS: these were 1. Procession with Model Rafts: symbolising the crossing of the Corinthian gulf during migration or the return of

the sons of Herakles 2. A Footrace: A runner wearing a garland of wool on his head, first prayed to the gods of the city state then ran

away the amagoi chased him, if he was caught, the omens were good for the city

- OTHER ACTIVITES: these include: Contests/Games Music festival: included both men and women celebrating heroic deeds and great events Dance of Armed Men

- KARNEATI (5 AMAGOI): these were the unmarried men chosen to cover the cost of the festival - AGOGE: the games were reflection of the military training system as games were organised on

military lines and a close association with the agoge- NO WARS: Spartans could not participate in wars or battles during this festival

Religious Role of Kings- CHIEF PRIESTS: the Spartan kings served as chief priests and were also believed to be the

descendents of Zeus through his son Herakles - PUBLIC DIVINATION: the kings were associated with public divination the art of divination

involves interpreting the will of the gods through such means as oracles, visions, dreams and the behaviour of animals and birds

- PITHIOI (oracle): were Spartan officials whose duty was to consult Delphi about matters concerning Sparta they were appointed by the king, shared the kings tent ad kept the Delphic responses as part of state archives

- SACRAFICES: sacrifice was also made in order to obtain divine favour Xenophon tells the story of Agesipolis who, while leading a Spartan army into the argolid (388BC) interpreted an earthquake as a sign from Poseidon the experience prompted him to make a sacrifice to the god

Funerary customs and rituals - SIMPLE BURIAL CUSTOMS: it appears that they had practiced simple burial customs either in pit

graves or tiles Warriors: it was permitted for warriors to be buried on the battlefield and grave markers placed on the grave to

show who was buried there Women: who died in childbirth were permitted to have inscribed monuments

- FUNERY RITUAL: the deceased female relatives generally conducted their the funerary rituals: Laying out the body The Funeral Procession & Burial itself Mourning: a strict period of 11 days was set for mourning the 12th day was marked by a sacrifice to Demeter

and the end of the grieving

- NO GRVAE GOODS: under the laws of Lycurgus, they did not put grave goods in with the dead and Spartan soldiers were simply wrapped in their red cloaks and olive leaves were placed around them

Death of Spartan King - BURIAL GROUND (Agiad): their burial ground was in the village of Pitana- BURIAL GROUND (Eurypontid): their burial ground was in the village of Limnai - DEATH OF A SPARTAN KING: Herodotus gives details on the events:

1. Horsemen Informed Laconia: horsemen travelled all over Lakonia, informing the inhabitants2. Women Beat Cauldrons: In the city of Sparta itself, women went around beating a cauldron3. Mourning: All residents of Sparta joined in the mourning, striking their foreheads as a sign of their grief.4. 10 day period: For a period of ten days following the burial of the king, meetings were not permitted for markets

or to ordain or to select magistrates.5. Statue: if a king is killed in war, they make a statue of him, and carry it to the burial on a richly draped bier

Glossary- HYAKINTHIA FESTIVAL: this was a 3 day festival celebrated in early summer (July) in order to

mourn the death of Hyakinthus

- GYMNOPAEDIA (‘the festival of the unarmed boys’): was a 5 day festival of dancing and gymnastics (one day for each oba), closely linked to the Spartan training regime

- KARNEIA: was an extremely important festival for the Spartans, it was harvest festival celebrated for 9 days in late summer in the holy month of Karneios (August).It was the celebration of Doric migration, the colonisation of the city and of various military events

- KARNEATI (5 AMAGOI): these were the unmarried men chosen to cover the cost of the festival- PITHIOI (oracle): were Spartan officials whose duty was to consult Delphi about matters

concerning Sparta