Open AccessHomer and the cult of the dead in Helladic times
Author(s) -
Odysseuss Tsagarakis
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
emérita/emerita
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.116
H-Index - 4
eISSN - 1988-8384
pISSN - 0013-6662
DOI - 10.3989/emerita.1980.v48.i2.822
Subject(s) - cult , function (biology) , history , art , literature , ancient history , evolutionary biology , biology
This paper discusses the Homeric bothros (Odyssey X 517 ff.) as a possible source of information for the ritual and function of various bothroi (grave pits) which are considered to be an important archaeological source. It seems that the bothroi were, by their nature, best suited to a cult of the dead and served as altars. The paper also discusses the possible reasons for the existence of the cult and argues against the view that fear of the dead motivated the cult in Helladic times