OCR GCSE Classical Civilisation (J199) — Myth and Religion
Preparing a body for burial wasn't just a physical necessity; it was an urgent religious duty to ensure the deceased's soul (psyche) safely reached the Underworld. The preparation of the deceased was a domestic ritual managed almost exclusively by the women of the household (oikos).
The physical preparation followed a strict step-by-step sequence:
For two days, the deceased's home transformed into a stage for intense, structured mourning known as the prothesis. The body was laid out on a high bed (bier) inside the house, with the feet specifically positioned facing the door to symbolise their final departure from the home.
During this time, female family members and professional mourners engaged in ritualised lamentation.
The Greeks firmly believed that death caused a severe religious pollution known as miasma. To prevent contamination, a bowl of water was placed outside the house so that mourners could purify themselves upon leaving.
Before the sun rose on the third day, the quiet of the morning was broken by wailing and music. This marked the ekphora (the 'carrying out' of the body), which functioned as a physical and spiritual transition from the household to the burial site.
The procession was carefully organised by gender and status:
The method of transport also indicated the family's wealth. While poorer families carried the bier by hand using pallbearers, wealthier families used a horse-drawn or mule-drawn wagon.
All burials were legally required to take place outside the city walls to prevent miasma from entering the city and offending the gods or contaminating sacred temples.
The procession usually ended at the Kerameikos, the most significant cemetery in Athens, located just outside the city gates. Once at the burial site, the family completed the burial through one of two methods:
Students frequently forget why Greek burials had to be located outside city walls; remember to explicitly state that this was to prevent 'miasma' (religious pollution) from entering the city and offending the gods.
In 'Describe' questions about the preparation of the body, examiners expect a clear chronological sequence: start with washing and anointing, move to dressing, and finish with the placing of the obol.
When referring to the musical instrument used in the procession, always use the specific OCR terminology 'aulos' rather than simply calling it a flute to meet the descriptor requirements.
If asked for archaeological evidence of funerary practices, reference white-ground lekythoi for the prothesis and Geometric style Dipylon Kraters for the ekphora.
Psyche
The ancient Greek term for the soul, which needed to be safely guided to the Underworld.
Lekythos
A slim, white-ground pottery jar used for storing perfumed oil, specifically for funerary anointing or as grave offerings.
Obol
A small silver, low-denomination coin placed in the deceased’s mouth as payment for the ferryman Charon.
Prothesis
The first stage of a Greek funeral, consisting of the laying out of the body for two days for friends and family to pay their respects.
Lamentation
The structured, passionate expression of grief, primarily performed by women, which involved wailing and physical displays of sorrow.
Threnos
A traditional funeral dirge or lamentation song sung during mourning rituals.
Miasma
Ritual pollution or religious uncleanness caused by contact with death or childbirth.
Ekphora
The funeral procession from the house to the burial site, taking place before dawn on the third day.
Aulos
A double-reeded ancient Greek wind instrument used to provide somber rhythm during the funeral procession.
Kerameikos
An area of Athens containing the city's main cemetery, located safely outside the city walls.
Inhumation
The practice of burying a dead body whole in the ground or in a sarcophagus.
Cremation
The practice of burning a dead body on a pyre and burying the ashes.
Pyre
A large pile of wood used for burning a dead body during cremation.
Put your knowledge into practice — try past paper questions for Classical Civilisation
Psyche
The ancient Greek term for the soul, which needed to be safely guided to the Underworld.
Lekythos
A slim, white-ground pottery jar used for storing perfumed oil, specifically for funerary anointing or as grave offerings.
Obol
A small silver, low-denomination coin placed in the deceased’s mouth as payment for the ferryman Charon.
Prothesis
The first stage of a Greek funeral, consisting of the laying out of the body for two days for friends and family to pay their respects.
Lamentation
The structured, passionate expression of grief, primarily performed by women, which involved wailing and physical displays of sorrow.
Threnos
A traditional funeral dirge or lamentation song sung during mourning rituals.
Miasma
Ritual pollution or religious uncleanness caused by contact with death or childbirth.
Ekphora
The funeral procession from the house to the burial site, taking place before dawn on the third day.
Aulos
A double-reeded ancient Greek wind instrument used to provide somber rhythm during the funeral procession.
Kerameikos
An area of Athens containing the city's main cemetery, located safely outside the city walls.
Inhumation
The practice of burying a dead body whole in the ground or in a sarcophagus.
Cremation
The practice of burning a dead body on a pyre and burying the ashes.
Pyre
A large pile of wood used for burning a dead body during cremation.
