Roman Death and Burial.
Uploaded by N_th_n on Feb 08, 2016
History, Facts and Information about Roman Funerals
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Ancient Roman funerals of the rich were elaborate and ritualised events when the accomplishments of the dead Roman were celebrated and homage was paid to their ancestors. The Ancient Romans paid great attention to funeral rites, because they believed that the souls of the unburied were not admitted into the abodes of the dead and would wander a hundred years along the river Styx before they were allowed to cross it. The content of this article provides interesting history, facts and information about life in Ancient Rome including Roman Funerals.
Roman Funerals - Preparation of the Dead
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The preparation of the dead played an important role in Roman funerals. When any one was at the point of death, his nearest relation present tried to catch his last breath with his mouth, for they believed that the soul went out at the mouth. The corpse was bathed and perfumed and dressed in the richest robes in preparation of the funeral of the deceased. The corpse was laid upon a couch strewn with flowers, with the feet pointing towards the outer door. Coins would be placed under the tongue or over the eyes of the dead to ensure a safe journey to the underworld.
Roman Funerals - The Funeral Procession and Ceremonies
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Roman funerals took place by torch light. The corpse was carried with the feet foremost on an open bier covered with the richest cloth and carried by the nearest relatives and friends of the deceased. The funeral procession was preceded by the image of the deceased, together with those of his ancestors. The funeral procession was attended by musicians, with wind instruments of a larger size and a deeper tone than those used on less solemn occasions. Mourning women and men were hired to sing the praises of the deceased. These hired mourners would wear the ancestral imagines, or funerary masks, of the dead's descendants. A eulogy (praise for the dead person) was read during the procession and occasionally after the funeral as in the funeral speech delivered by Marc Antony to Julius Caesar. This event was immortalised by William Shakespeare in his play Julius Caesar when he wrote his version of the speech beginning with "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears..."
Roman Funerals - The Funeral Pyre
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Cremation was the most common funeral practice in the Roman Empire, although burial was also used. The custom of burning the...