Portrait of a Priestess: Women and Ritual in Ancient Greece

"There was a great need for a book of this kind. Through direct observation of artifacts, the author offers many original ideas, and even manages to correct some long-held erroneous readings of ancient texts. Her emphasis on the important role played by some women in classical antiquity is a welcome corrective to the stereotype of the subordinate female in the Greek world. The remarkably wide-ranging material will be of great interest not only to archaeologists but also to scholars in various fields."--Brunilde S. Ridgway, Professor Emerita, Bryn Mawr College, author of Prayers in Stone: Greek Architectural Sculpture (c. 600-100 B.C.E.)

"This is the first full presentation in English or in any language of the female priest in the ancient Greek world. Connelly adduces evidence that women all over the Greek world had, as priestesses, positions of great public influence in their communities. I predict this study will have a wide readership by general classicists as well as those interested in ancient religion, ancient society, and women in ancient Greece, not to mention by art historians. This promises to be a landmark study."--Stephen V. Tracy, American School of Classical Studies at Athens, author of Athens and Macedon: Attic Letter-Cutters of 300 to 229 B.C.

"There has long been a need for a book devoted to the role of the priestess in ancient Greece. After reading Connelly, no one could fail to be persuaded that priestesses could play an important role in society or that they were given significant honors. This book will do much to improve and extend our understanding of the role of Greek women both in religion and in society."--Mary Lefkowitz, Wellesley College, author of Greek Gods, Human Lives: What We Can Learn from Myths

Connelly builds this history through a pioneering examination of archaeological evidence in the broader context of literary sources, inscriptions, sculpture, and vase painting. Ranging from southern Italy to Asia Minor, and from the late Bronze Age to the fifth century A.D., she brings the priestesses to life--their social origins, how they progressed through many sacred roles on the path to priesthood, and even how they dressed. She sheds light on the rituals they performed, the political power they wielded, their systems of patronage and compensation, and how they were honored, including in death. Connelly shows that understanding the complexity of priestesses' lives requires us to look past the simple lines we draw today between public and private, sacred and secular.

The remarkable picture that emerges reveals that women in religious office were not as secluded and marginalized as we have thought--that religious office was one arena in ancient Greece where women enjoyed privileges and authority comparable to that of men. Connelly concludes by examining women's roles in early Christianity, taking on the larger issue of the exclusion of women from the Christian priesthood. This paperback edition includes additional maps and a glossary for student use.

Acknowledgments ix

List of Abbreviations xiii

Chapter 1: Introduction: Time, Space, Source Material, and Methods 1

Chapter 2: Paths to Priesthood: Preparation, Requirements, and Acquisition 27

Chapter 3: Priesthoods of Prominence: Athena Polias at Athens, Demeter and Kore at Eleusis, Hera at Argos, and Apollo at Delphi 57

Chapter 4: Dressing the Part: Costume, Attribute, and Mimesis 85

Chapter 5: The Priestess in the Sanctuary: Implements, Portraits, and Patronage 117

Chapter 6: The Priestess in Action: Procession, Sacrifice, and Benefaction 165

Chapter 7: Priestly Privilege: Perquisites, Honors, and Authority 197

Chapter 8: Death of the Priestess: Grave Monuments, Epitaphs, and Public Burial 223

Chapter 9: The End of the Line: The Coming of Christianity 259

Chapter 10: Conclusions 275

Notes 283

Bibliography 365

Index of Monuments 383

Index of Inscriptions 387

Index of Priestesses 393

General Index 399