- EAN13
- 9782875623775
- Éditeur
- Presses Universitaires de Liège
- Date de publication
- 21/08/2023
- Collection
- Kernos suppléments
- Langue
- anglais
- Fiches UNIMARC
- S'identifier
Greek Incubation Rituals in Classical and Hellenistic Times
Hedvig von Ehrenheim
Presses Universitaires de Liège
Kernos suppléments
Livre numérique
-
Aide EAN13 : 9782875623775
- Fichier PDF, libre d'utilisation
- Fichier EPUB, libre d'utilisation
- Fichier Mobipocket, libre d'utilisation
- Lecture en ligne, lecture en ligne
14.99
This study documents and analyses the structure and function of Greek
incubation rituals in Classical and Hellenistic times addressing all relevant
and extant literary and epigraphical testimonial concerning the rites and
rules surrounding incubation. It shows that previous approaches, which treated
incubation as a Chthonian phenomenon, as a rite of passage, or as comparable
to initiation in mystery cults are not supported by the available testimonia
on these rites. An analysis of the social context of the rites surrounding
incubation shows they differed surprisingly little from the rites performed by
other worshippers at these sanctuaries. Various ritual factors are explored in
order to explain why ordinary, or low-intensity, rites could create a high-
intensity experience for the worshipper. Further, the structure of incubation
rituals is examined in the light of the origins and development of the
practice in Greece. Contrary to previous theories on the origins of
incubation, it is argued that the phenomenon began as an exclusive
consultation technique for priests, magistrates and select worshippers and was
a natural variant of oracular techniques in Archaic and Early Classical
Greece. When incubation became accessible to everyone in Classical society as
a part of the cult of Asklepios, rituals for the masses were then created. The
ritual did not have one, coherent structure across all the sanctuaries which
offered it ; rather, the ritual practice adapted to local customs and factors
such as the size of the cult. Some rites for intermediaries were kept, but new
motivational factors were added, which resulted in very popular cults.
incubation rituals in Classical and Hellenistic times addressing all relevant
and extant literary and epigraphical testimonial concerning the rites and
rules surrounding incubation. It shows that previous approaches, which treated
incubation as a Chthonian phenomenon, as a rite of passage, or as comparable
to initiation in mystery cults are not supported by the available testimonia
on these rites. An analysis of the social context of the rites surrounding
incubation shows they differed surprisingly little from the rites performed by
other worshippers at these sanctuaries. Various ritual factors are explored in
order to explain why ordinary, or low-intensity, rites could create a high-
intensity experience for the worshipper. Further, the structure of incubation
rituals is examined in the light of the origins and development of the
practice in Greece. Contrary to previous theories on the origins of
incubation, it is argued that the phenomenon began as an exclusive
consultation technique for priests, magistrates and select worshippers and was
a natural variant of oracular techniques in Archaic and Early Classical
Greece. When incubation became accessible to everyone in Classical society as
a part of the cult of Asklepios, rituals for the masses were then created. The
ritual did not have one, coherent structure across all the sanctuaries which
offered it ; rather, the ritual practice adapted to local customs and factors
such as the size of the cult. Some rites for intermediaries were kept, but new
motivational factors were added, which resulted in very popular cults.
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