State pilgrims and sacred observers in ancient Greece : a study of Theōriā and Theōroi Ian Rutherford

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 theōroi, literally 'observers', and a delegation made up of theōroi, or the action of taking part in one, is called theōriā. This is the first comprehensive study of theōroi and theōriā. It examines a number of key functions of theōroi 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 theōroi, 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 theōriā in Greek philosophy and literature. The book will be essential for all scholars and advanced students of ancient religion. 5.3. The Classical Period -- 6. Oracles -- 6.1. More Accurate Than A Carpenter's Tools: Theognis' Theoros -- 6.2. State-consultation Of Oracles: Evidence -- 6.3. Terminology -- 6.4. Oracle Delegates At The Sanctuary -- 6.5. Protecting Against Fraud -- 7. Conveying Offerings -- 7.1. Introduction -- 7.2. Aparkhai -- 7.3. Offerings And Oracles -- 7.4. Fetching -- 7.5. Fire Rituals -- 8. Theoroi As Magistrates -- 8.1. Introduction -- 8.2. Arcadia -- 8.3. Paros And Thasos -- 8.4. A Problem Case: Aegina -- 8.5. Other Cases -- 8.6. Summation -- 9. Theoria And Viewing -- 9.1. Theoria, Festival And Visuality -- 9.2. Intellectual Journeys And Sightseeing -- 10. Participants -- 10.1. Composition -- 10.2. The Arkhitheoroi -- 10.3. Who Got Chosen As Theoroi? -- 10.4. Other Officials -- 10.5. Groups Within The Polis Specialising In Theoria -- 10.6. The Escort -- 11. The Journey -- 11.1. The Mission Begins 11.2. Sea Travel -- 11.3. Land Travel -- 11.4. Dangers Of The Journey -- 11.5. Ekekheiria, Spondai, Hieromenia -- 11.6. The Return -- 12. Performances In The Sanctuary -- 12.1. Introduction -- 12.2. Proxenoi -- 12.3. Institutional Arrangements And Taxes: The Delphic Conventions -- 12.4. Joint Sacrifice -- 12.5. Processions -- 12.6. The Agon -- 12.7. Keeping Order -- 13. Civic Theoria: Two Case Studies -- 13.1. Theoroi As Agents And Mediators -- 13.2. Funding -- 13.3. Political And Religious Identity -- 13.4. The Athenian Puthais: A Travelling Image Of The Polis -- 13.5. Kos And Delos: Celebrating The City At Home And Abroad -- 14. The Theoric Chorus -- 14.1. Introduction -- 14.2. Watching The Locals Perform -- 14.3. Bringing A Song -- 14.4. Other Scenarios -- 14.5. The Hellenistic Period. Professionals And Travelling Poets -- 15. Interstate Politics And Diplomacy 15.1. Interstate Politics And Ordinary Forms Of Theoria -- 15.2. Theoroi, Empires And Kingdoms -- 15.3. Federations, Unions Of Cities And Councils -- 15.4. Theoroi And Ambassadors -- 16. Hellenism, Panhellenism And Common Sanctuaries -- 16.1. The Common Sanctuaries -- 16.2. Theoria And Panhellenic Memory In The Hellenistic World -- 16.3. The Panhellenion: Only Authentic Greeks Need Apply -- 16.4. Non-greeks And Theoria -- 16.5. Theoria And The Origins Of Hellenicity -- 17. Theoric Networks Over Space And Time -- 17.1. Introduction -- 17.2. Two Case Studies: Samothrace And Delos -- 17.3. Some Other Cases -- 17.4. The Shape Of Theoric Systems -- 18. The Case Of Athens -- 18.1. Fifth-fourth Centuries Bc -- 18.2. The Hellenistic And Roman Periods -- 18.3. Embedded Rituals: The Puthaistai And Deliastai -- 18.4. Special Groups -- 18.5. Athens As A Theoric Centre Ian Rutherford. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. A 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 first comprehensive study of theoria, the practice of Greek cities sending sacred delegates to common sanctuaries, which played a crucial role in religious culture for a thousand years. The book analyses its workings in detail, and engages with important issues such as religious networks, connectivity and the notion of Greek identity.