Water and "the perforated water-jars" as a Form of the Other World Misery in Greek Thought, and its Development with the Romans: An Archaeological Study

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Professor at Faculty of Arts, Alexandria University (EGYPT)

Abstract


My study focuses on a main but effective factor in the initiation of the religious ceremonies through the Orphic and the Pythagorean teachings. If not followed or neglected in One’s lifetime, his soul will be tortured and cursed in the Otherworld.            
         A mural-painting by the Greek painter Polygnotus(5thcent .BC) on the Lesche Building in Knidos indicates this fate of the deceased’ soul in the Otherworld by starving from the blessing river-water there.
           The Romans expressed this religious idea of purification on many sarcophagi’s mythical reliefs, plus using Dionysiac “mask” or “head” as he was a “master or prompter” of these Orphic and Pythagorean secrets for the dead.

Keywords

Main Subjects


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