This document provides concise consolidation notes for the second topic of the Greek Religion module of your Classical Civilisation A-level: 'Personal Experience of the Divine'. This topic includes the discussion of mystery cults, the healing cult of Asclepius and the oracle at Dodona. These notes ...
2.11: The importance of initiation, personal religious choice and individual participation
2.12: The Eleusinian Mysteries and the Great Eleusinia
2.2: The healing cult of Asclepius
2.21: His characterization as both god and hero
2.22: Incubation and miracles
2.3: The oracle at Dodona
2.31: the nature of the help and advice sought from the oracle by private individuals
Topic 02 | Personal Experience of the Divine
,DEFINITIONS
Mystery Cult
Religious school which participation was reserved for initiates only. The main characterization of
this religion is the secrecy associated with the particulars of the initiation and the ritual practice
which may not be revealed to outsiders.
Initiation (mystes)
The action of admitting someone into a secret or obscure society or group, typically with ritual.
Hierophant
A person, typically a priest, who interprets sacred mysteries or esoteric principles- the chief
priest of the Eleusinian mysteries.
Kykeon
A beverage of water and barley (sometimes flavored with mint or thyme)- c.f. Homeric Hymn to
Demeter.
Epopteia
The final initiation rite of the mysteries whereby the secret of the cult is revealed to you.
Incubation
The act of staying overnight, specifically in a healing sanctuary, through which you are meant to
be cured of your ailment.
2
, THE ELEUSINIAN MYSTERIES
Connection to myth:
- Aetiological (causation) myth- ancient cult of Demeter
- Part if the sacred calendar from the late sixth century
Secrecy:
- Strict secrecy (Homeric Hymn, Isocrates)
- Profanation of the mysteries= capital crime (Thucydides)
415 arrested
Threat to democracy
Attempt to instigate tyranny
Indiscriminate arrests of prominent citizens
Executions after tactical confession
Personal Choice:
- A conscious decision to become an initiate
- Broadly inclusive (women, slaves and non-Greeks could all become initiates)
Engagement with the Divine:
- Persephone’s return from Hades (Homeric Hymn to Demeter)
- Associated with fertility, nature, the hopefulness of spring
Purpose of Initiation:
- Enables some hope at the time of death (Sophocles, Homeric Hymn to Demeter)
- Link with grief (Demeter) and death (Persephone): ability to share in Demeter and
Persephone’s feelings
- Public aspects enable the individual to feel valued by their community (arrival of hiera,
halade mustai, procession, myrtle)
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