Question 1

What is the difference between a tomb and a grave?

Accepted Answer

A grave is simply a place where a body is buried, often marked by a mound or stone. A tomb is a more elaborate structure, usually above ground, designed to house the dead and often multiple individuals. In ancient Greece, graves were common in cemeteries like the Kerameikos, while tombs like the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus were monumental. In Rome, columbaria were tombs for cremated remains, while catacombs were underground burial chambers.

Question 2

Why did the Romans put coins in graves?

Accepted Answer

The coin, often placed in the mouth or hand of the deceased, was payment for Charon, the ferryman who transported souls across the River Styx to the underworld. This practice reflects the Greek and Roman belief that without proper burial rites and payment, the soul would wander restlessly. The coin was typically a low-value bronze piece, such as an obol in Greece or a quadrans in Rome.

Question 3

What were Roman columbaria used for?

Accepted Answer

Columbaria were communal tombs for cremated remains, popular during the Roman Empire. They contained rows of niches (loculi) where cinerary urns were placed. These structures were often used by freedmen, slaves, or members of burial clubs (collegia) who could not afford individual tombs. The name comes from the Latin for 'dovecote', as the niches resembled pigeonholes.

Question 4

How did Greek burial practices change from the Mycenaean to Classical period?

Accepted Answer

In the Mycenaean period (c. 1600–1100 BC), elite burials were in tholos tombs or shaft graves with rich grave goods, like those at Mycenae. By the Geometric period (c. 900–700 BC), cremation became common, with ashes placed in amphorae. In the Classical period (5th–4th centuries BC), inhumation in family plots with marble stelae was typical, and grave goods became more modest, often including lekythoi (oil flasks).

Question 5

What is the significance of the Kerameikos cemetery in Athens?

Accepted Answer

The Kerameikos was the main cemetery of ancient Athens, used from the 9th century BC to Roman times. It is crucial for understanding Athenian burial practices, social structure, and art. Excavations have revealed thousands of graves, stelae, and funerary monuments, including the famous Dexileos stele. The site also includes the Dipylon Gate and the Sacred Gate, linking burial to civic and religious life.

Question 6

Did Romans believe in an afterlife like the Greeks?

Accepted Answer

Roman beliefs were complex and evolved over time. Early Romans thought the dead became Manes (ancestral spirits) who needed offerings. The underworld (Orcus) was a shadowy place, similar to Greek Hades. By the late Republic, some Romans, influenced by Greek philosophy, believed in a blessed afterlife for the virtuous. However, proper burial was essential to avoid becoming a lemur (restless ghost).

Tombs, graves and burial

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