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Beliefs in the after-life (Burial/tombs (Romans usually placed tombs of…
Beliefs in the after-life
Tombs in Pomepii
Tombs at Pompeii can still be seen along the roads that go north from Herculaneum Gate & south from Nuceria/Nocera Gate
One wealthy Pomepian had his ashes burned in a very expensive, hand-carved blue & white glass vase - found in one of the tombs outside Herculaneum Gate
Open-air dining room was found attached to a tomb outside Herculaneum Gate
Over 180 graffiti painted/scratched onto Nocera Gate tombs, ranging from political slogans to adverts for games at amphitheatre
Beliefs about life after death
Some believed in Greek myths about underworld where wicked were punished for crimes & where good lived happily
There were few people who didn't believe in any form of life after death - followers of Epicurus (Greek philosopher) who taught that when a man died the breath that gave him life dissolved in the air & was lost forever
Most Romans felt no need to question their traditional beliefs & customs, which kept dead alive in their memories & ensured their spirits were happy/at peace
Some authors say that those who could not pay the fee, or whose bodies were left unburied, had to wander the shores for 100 years
Charon was ferryman of Underworld who carried souls of newly deceased across river Styx that divided world of living from world of dead
Coin (
obulus
) placed in mouth (or on eyes) of dead to pay Charon
Tartarus = region of torments, with vast deep pit in which the tortures were performed (here Virgil places two sorts of souls: those who had shown impiety & rebellion toward the gods & those who had been vile & mischievous among men)
Elysium = region of joy and bliss (here Virgil places those who died for their country & all who had done good to mankind
Burial/tombs
Romans usually placed tombs of dead by side of roads just outside towns
Some tombs were grand & impressive - looked like small houses
Others were plain & simple
Inside was chest/vase containing ashes of dead person
Sometimes there were recesses in walls to hold remains of several members of family
Ashes of poor people buried more simply as couldn't afford expense of tomb
Poor might put ashes of dead in second-hand storage jars which were then buried in ground
Cremation was normal way of disposing of dead
Ashes buried in containers of many materials (e.g. stone, metal & glass) - cremation urns
In building cemeteries along busy roads (not in peaceful & secluded places) Romans weren't showing lack of respect
Believed unless dead were properly treated, their ghosts would haunt living & possibly do them harm
Most important to provide dead with tomb/grave, where their ghosts could have a home
Also thought that they would want to be close to life of the living
One tomb has inscription:
"Lollius has been placed by the side of the road in order that everyone who passes may say to him 'Hello, Lollius' "
Believed that dead continued activities of life & therefore had to be supplied with things they needed
E.g. a craftsman would want his tools, a woman her jewellery, children their toys
When bodies of dead were cremated, their possessions were burnt or buried with them
Thought, in spite of attempts to look after them, dead didn't lead very happy existence
To help them forget unhappiness, tombs often decorated with flowers & surrounded by little gardens - custom lasted to this day, although original meaning changed
Customs
Ghosts of dead thought to be hungry & thirsty so had to be given food/drink
Offerings of eggs, beans, lentils, flour & wine placed regularly at tomb
Sometimes holes made in tomb so food/wine could be poured through
Wine was convenient substitute for blood, the favourite drink of the dead
At funeral & on special occasions, animals sacrificed & blood offered
Family & friends held banquet after funeral & on anniversary of death
Sometimes banquets took place in dining room attached to tomb itself or in family home
Ghosts of dead thought to attend & enjoy these cheerful occasions
2 festivals for dead held every year
At one, families remembered parents & relations who had died
At other, they performed rites to exorcise any ghosts in their house who might be lonely/hungry & therefore dangerous
