State Pilgrims and Sacred Observers in Ancient Greece: A Study of Theoria and Theoroi

by Ian Rutherford

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781107038226
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	12/19/2013
Pages:	552
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.80(h) x 1.70(d)

About the Author

Ian Rutherford is Professor in the Classics Department, University of Reading. He works mostly on Greek poetry, Greek religion and relations between Greece and other cultures: chiefly the Hittites and Egypt. For fifteen years he has published a great deal on 'pilgrimage' in the ancient world (e.g. Pilgrimage in Graeco-Roman and Early Christian Antiquity: Seeing the Gods, co-edited with Jas Elsner, 2005) with a related interest in travelling poets (Wandering Poets in Ancient Greek Culture, co-edited with Richard Hunter, 2009). He has also published a full commentary on Pindar's Paeans (2001) and has another volume forthcoming on Hittite and Greek religion.

Table of Contents

1. Approaches to theōriā: preliminary definitions and issues; 2. Evidence; 3. An historical overview; 4. Festival theōriā; 5. Festival announcement and truce; 6. Oracles; 7. Conveying offerings; 8. Theōroi as magistrates; 9. Theōriā and viewing; 10. Participants; 11. The journey; 12. Performances at the sanctuary; 13. Civic theōriā: two case studies; 14. The theoric chorus; 15. Politics and diplomacy; 16. Hellenism, panhellenism and common sanctuaries; 17. Theoric networks over space and time; 18. The case of Athens; 19. Philosophy and theōriā; 20. Theōriā in Greek imagination; 21. Epilogue. The end of theōriā.