State pilgrims and sacred observers in ancient Greece : a study of Theōriā and Theōroi / Ian Rutherford.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Rutherford, Ian, 1959- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Greece--Religion.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xxviii, 534 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Other Title:

State Pilgrims & Sacred Observers in Ancient Greece

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2013.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

For at least a thousand years Greek cities took part in religious activities outside their territory by sending sacred delegates to represent them. The delegates are usually called theōroi, literally 'observers', and a delegation made up of theōroi, or the action of taking part in one, is called theōriā. This is the first comprehensive study of theōroi and theōriā. It examines a number of key functions of theōroi and explains who served in this role and what their activities are likely to have been, both on the journey and at the sanctuary. Other chapters discuss the diplomatic functions of theōroi, and what their activities tell us about the origins of the notion of Greek identity and about religious networks. Chapters are also devoted to the reception of the notion of theōriā in Greek philosophy and literature. The book will be essential for all scholars and advanced students of ancient religion.

Contents:

5.3. The Classical period

6. Oracles

6.1. More accurate than a carpenter's tools: Theognis' theoros

6.2. State-consultation of oracles: evidence

6.3. Terminology

6.4. Oracle delegates at the sanctuary

6.5. Protecting against fraud

7. Conveying offerings

7.1. Introduction

7.2. Aparkhai

7.3. Offerings and oracles

7.4. Fetching

7.5. Fire rituals

8. Theoroi as magistrates

8.1. Introduction

8.2. Arcadia

8.3. Paros and Thasos

8.4. A problem case: Aegina

8.5. Other cases

8.6. Summation

9. Theoria and viewing

9.1. Theoria, festival and visuality

9.2. Intellectual journeys and sightseeing

10. Participants

10.1. Composition

10.2. The arkhitheoroi

10.3. Who got chosen as theoroi?

10.4. Other officials

10.5. Groups within the polis specialising in theoria

10.6. The escort

11. The journey

11.1. The mission begins.

11.2. Sea travel

11.3. Land travel

11.4. Dangers of the journey

11.5. Ekekheiria, spondai, hieromenia

11.6. The return

12. Performances in the sanctuary

12.1. Introduction

12.2. Proxenoi

12.3. Institutional arrangements and taxes: the Delphic conventions

12.4. Joint sacrifice

12.5. Processions

12.6. The agon

12.7. Keeping order

13. Civic theoria: two case studies

13.1. Theoroi as agents and mediators

13.2. Funding

13.3. Political and religious identity

13.4. The Athenian Puthais: a travelling image of the polis

13.5. Kos and Delos: celebrating the city at home and abroad

14. The theoric chorus

14.1. Introduction

14.2. Watching the locals perform

14.3. Bringing a song

14.4. Other scenarios

14.5. The Hellenistic period. Professionals and travelling poets

15. Interstate politics and diplomacy.

15.1. Interstate politics and "ordinary" forms of theoria

15.2. Theoroi, empires and kingdoms

15.3. Federations, unions of cities and councils

15.4. Theoroi and ambassadors

16. Hellenism, Panhellenism and common sanctuaries

16.1. The common sanctuaries

16.2. Theoria and Panhellenic memory in the Hellenistic world

16.3. The Panhellenion: only authentic Greeks need apply

16.4. Non-Greeks and theoria

16.5. Theoria and the origins of Hellenicity

17. Theoric networks over space and time

17.1. Introduction

17.2. Two case studies: Samothrace and Delos

17.3. Some other cases

17.4. The shape of theoric systems

18. The case of Athens

18.1. Fifth-fourth centuries BC

18.2. The Hellenistic and Roman periods

18.3. Embedded rituals: the Puthaistai and Deliastai

18.4. Special groups

18.5. Athens as a theoric centre.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-139-89279-7

1-107-50102-4

1-107-50642-5

1-107-51407-X

1-107-49696-9

1-107-51686-2

1-107-50371-X

1-139-81467-2

OCLC:

870946496