State Pilgrims and Sacred Observers in Ancient Greece
A Study of The?ri? and The?roi

The first comprehensive study of the?roi - sacred delegates sent by Greek city-states to represent them at common sanctuaries.

Ian Rutherford (Author)

9781108729956, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 24 January 2019

562 pages, 4 b/w illus. 19 maps 12 tables
24.5 x 17 x 3 cm, 0.9 kg

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 the?roi, literally 'observers', and a delegation made up of the?roi, or the action of taking part in one, is called the?ri?. This is the first comprehensive study of the?roi and the?ri?. It examines a number of key functions of the?roi 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 the?roi, 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 the?ri? in Greek philosophy and literature. The book will be essential for all scholars and advanced students of ancient religion.

1. Approaches to the?ri?: preliminary definitions and issues
2. Evidence
3. An historical overview
4. Festival the?ri?
5. Festival announcement and truce
6. Oracles
7. Conveying offerings
8. The?roi as magistrates
9. The?ri? and viewing
10. Participants
11. The journey
12. Performances at the sanctuary
13. Civic the?ri?: 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 the?ri?
20. The?ri? in Greek imagination
21. Epilogue. The end of the?ri?.

Subject Areas: Ancient religions & mythologies [HRKP], Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500 [HPCA], Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA]