Burial customs
This Roman burial method became popular by the 2nd century CE.
Cremation
his ferryman required payment to cross the River Styx
Charon
Greeks buried the dead with this coin for Charon
Obol
Romans held these parades with loud music to honor the dead
What are funeral processions?
Greeks placed these small statues in graves to serve the dead.
Charon’s obol
Romans believed the dead became these protective spirits
Lares / Manes
Romans left these at tombs to honor ancestors
Food offerings
Greek women showed sadness by cutting these from their heads
What is their hair?
Wealthy Romans built these above-ground tombs to showcase status.
Columbaria
Greeks feared ending up here, a gloomy underworld realm
Hades
Wealthy Greeks were buried with these painted vases
Funerary lekythoi
Rich Romans sometimes hired these "crying" women for funerals
Who are professional mourners?
Poor Romans were often buried in these communal underground graves.
Mass graves / potter’s field
This Roman god ruled the underworld
Pluto
Roman children’s graves often contained these toys
Dolls/figurines
Romans left this at graves so the dead wouldn't go hungry
What is food?
Greek funerals included this ritual where women washed the body
Prothesis
Heroes like Hercules were believed to go here, a paradise
Elysium
This object in Roman tombs held ashes of the deceased
Urn
Greeks visited graves during this special spring "flower festival.
What is Anthesteria?