Marriage and Funeral Rites

In the Odyssey, Homer describes the Underworld… Deep beneath the earth, where Hades, the

brother of Zeus and Poseidon, and his wife, Persephone, reigned over countless drifting crowds of shadowy figures—the "shades" of all those who had died. It was not a happy place. Indeed, the ghost of the great hero Achilles told Odysseus that he would rather be a poor serf on earth than lord of all the dead in the Underworld (Odyssey, 11.489–91).

The “Psyche” or Spirit of the Dead

Omission of burial rites is insult to human dignity (Iliad, 23.71).

Immortality lay in the continued remembrance of the dead by the living

Although many men feared death and obsessed over youth and eternal fame, it is clear that women were comfortable in the realm of the dead. As illustrated in Greek mythology, and pottery, it is clear that the woman’s role as wife and bride was inseparable from the rituals and culture surrounding death.

Marble statue of a kouros (youth)

Greek, Attic, Archaic, ca. 590–580 B.C.

Kouroi represented what was good and beautiful – kalo agathos. Herodotus (I. 31) tells us through a story of two brothers, Kleobis and Biton, that kouroi were votive statues commemorating the youth and heroics of young men who had died.

Statue of a Youth: The Kritios Boy, marble 480 B.C.

Sculpture evolves, but youth is still focus

This sculpture encompasses the idea of Ethos; The sculptor creates a noble presence. It is as if his weight shifts with the changing political scene

the ghost of the great hero Achilles told Odysseus that he would rather be a poor serf on earth than lord of all the dead in the Underworld (Odyssey, 11.489–91).

“Wife and Death” in Mythology

The rape of Persephone

Homeric Hymn to Demeter

Engue -- betrothal arranged by fathers

Ekdosis -- process of transfer/giving away of bride

Gamos -- cosummated

Rituals and Sacrifices in Marriage

Offerings to the divinities -- especially a lock of hair

Removal of girdle worn since puberty Ritual bath (using loutrophoros -- meaning “someone

who carries the bath water”) The veiling and unveiling (anakalupteria) of the bride Transfer of bride by night (in chariot, cart, etc) Mother figure carries torches “to light way” Bride is given fruit to show accept of “livelihood” of

husband Bride and groom showered with fruits and nuts

Loutrophoroi and Lebes Gamikos

Loutrophoros are linked with weddings and funerals since they are used to bring water (loutron) for ritual baths

Lebes Gamikos, a nuptial cauldron, had various functions -- storage, warming, vase, or symbol

Kedeia “The Funeral”

Prothesis -- laying out of the body

Ekphora -- Conveyance of body to its place of internment

Perideiprion -- Banquet

Rituals and Sacrifices in Death

Women play significant role -- washing, anointing, dressing, crowning

Ritual washing Transfer of body by cart (if affordable) Offerings of fruit

Marriage Death Dedication of a lock of hair

Bride and groom are ritually bathed

Dressed and adorned Covering of bride with veil

A journey to a the home of the husband

Culminates in nuptial bed The loss of virginity (and the death of youth)

Hair offered my mourners Deceased is ritually bathed

Dressed and adorned with crown

Covering of body with veil

A journey to a “new home”

Culminates in laying out on bed

The loss of life