8.3 Burial customs and funerary architecture

Greek burial customs were deeply rooted in religious beliefs about the afterlife. Proper rituals were crucial for the soul's journey to the underworld. These practices included washing and dressing the body, placing coins for Charon, and holding viewing ceremonies.

Funerary architecture varied from simple graves to elaborate tombs. Grave markers, like stelae and mausoleums, reflected the deceased's status. Burial methods and monuments changed over time and differed by region, showcasing cultural values and social hierarchies.

Burial Practices in Ancient Greece

Preparation of the Body and Prothesis Ritual

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• Ancient Greeks believed in an afterlife and that proper burial was necessary for the soul to enter the underworld
  • Failure to perform proper rites could result in the soul wandering the earth
• The process of preparing the body for burial included:
  1. Washing the body
  2. Anointing with oils
  3. Dressing the deceased in fine clothing
• Coins were often placed on the eyes or in the mouth as payment to Charon for passage across the river Styx
• The prothesis was a ritual where the body was laid out for viewing and mourning by family and friends
  • This typically lasted one day and included lamentations, songs, and prayers

Ekphora Procession and Burial Methods

• The ekphora was a funeral procession where the body was carried to the cemetery
  • Often on a funeral bier or cart, accompanied by family, friends, and hired mourners
  • Processions were held at night to avoid polluting the day
• Both inhumation (burial) and cremation were practiced in ancient Greece
  • The prevalence of each practice varied by region and time period
  • Ashes of cremated individuals were often placed in urns
• Grave goods, such as pottery, jewelry, and weapons, were often buried with the deceased for use in the afterlife
  • The type and richness of grave goods varied based on the status and wealth of the individual (elite vs. commoners)
• Offerings to the deceased, such as libations of wine or oil, were made at the grave site during burial and subsequent visits
  • Family members were expected to regularly visit and maintain the grave

Funerary Architecture in Ancient Greece

Types of Tombs and Graves

• Cist graves were simple rectangular pits lined with stone slabs and covered with stone or wood
  • Common for individual burials, particularly in the early Greek period
• Chamber tombs were rock-cut or built underground chambers accessed by a dromos (passageway)
  • Often contained multiple burials and were used by families or kin groups
• Tholos tombs, also known as beehive tombs, were large circular structures with a corbelled dome and a long entrance passage
  • Monumental tombs used for elite or royal burials, particularly in the Mycenaean period (Treasury of Atreus at Mycenae)
• Tumuli were large earthen mounds erected over graves or burial chambers
  • Could contain single or multiple burials and were often marked with stelae or other monuments (Vergina tumulus in Macedonia)

Grave Markers and Monuments

• Grave stelae were upright stone slabs or pillars erected over graves as markers
  • Often featured relief sculptures or paintings depicting the deceased and were inscribed with their names and other details
• Peribolos tombs were large walled enclosures containing multiple burials of a family or kin group
  • Often featured elaborate grave markers, sculptures, and offerings
• Mausoleums were large, elaborate tomb structures built for royalty or the wealthy elite
  • The most famous example is the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

Symbolism of Greek Burial Customs

Religious and Cultural Beliefs

• The ancient Greeks believed that properly conducted funerary rites were essential for the soul's passage to the underworld
  • Necessary to prevent the deceased from returning as a vengeful spirit
• The coins placed with the deceased for Charon's payment reflect the Greek belief in the geography of the underworld
  • The river Styx separated the world of the living from the realm of the dead
• The prothesis and ekphora rituals allowed the community to mourn and honor the deceased
  • Also served as a reminder of the social status and importance of the family

Symbolism in Grave Goods and Monuments

• Grave goods reflected the identity and status of the deceased in life
  • Believed to be necessary for their comfort and well-being in the afterlife (weapons for warriors, jewelry for women)
• The types of burial architecture and monuments used were a reflection of the wealth, status, and cultural values of the deceased and their family
  • Elaborate tombs and monuments served as a display of power and prestige
• The regular maintenance of graves and offerings to the deceased were seen as a way to honor and appease the spirits of the dead
  • Ensured their goodwill and protection for the living family members
• The symbolism and decoration of grave markers, such as stelae, often depicted the deceased's occupation, interests, or familial relationships
  • Served as a lasting memorial to their life and identity (depictions of athletes, warriors, or family scenes)

Burial Practices: Regional and Period Comparisons

Changes Over Time

• In the early Greek period, inhumation was more common, while cremation became increasingly popular in later periods
  • Particularly in Athens and other city-states
• The Mycenaean period was characterized by the use of large, elaborate tholos and chamber tombs for elite burials
  • Simpler cist graves were used for commoners
• In the Archaic period, grave markers and stelae became more elaborate and individualized
  • Often depicting the deceased and their achievements
• The Classical period saw a shift towards more understated and uniform grave markers
  • Reflecting the democratic ideals of the time

Regional Variations

• Sparta was known for its simple and austere burial practices
  • Little emphasis on grave goods or elaborate monuments, reflecting their militaristic culture
• In the Hellenistic period, the influence of other cultures led to more diverse and eclectic burial practices
  • The use of sarcophagi and more elaborate mausoleums became popular among the wealthy elite (Tomb of Philip II at Vergina)
• Regional variations in burial practices existed, with some areas favoring certain types of tombs or grave goods based on local traditions and resources
  • Macedonia was known for its large tumuli burials (Tomb of Philip II)
  • Crete had unique burial practices, such as the use of clay coffins (larnakes) and communal tombs