The kings of Sparta held important religious roles, carrying out sacrifices to the gods on behalf of the people at various occasions including the start of each month, annual festivals, funerals, and before battles or crossing borders. When a king died, it was announced throughout Sparta and Laconia, with women banging cauldrons and people going into mourning. The king's funeral involved declarations that he was Sparta's best ruler, and all citizens were required to attend the multi-day period of mourning.

1. RELIGIOUS ROLE OF
KINGS
AND
THE DEATH OF A KING

2. RELIGIOUS ROLES
 Spartan kings carried out sacrifices to their patron gods Zeus Uranious and Zeus
Lacedaemon. (Gods of respective families)
 Carried out sacrifices on behalf of the people of the city on the 1st and 7th days of
the month in the temple of Apollo and Temple of Athens of the Bronze house.
 Carried out sacrifices at important annual festivals.
 Carried out sacrifices at funerals.
 Carried out sacrifices prior to leaving for war to Zeus.
 Carried out sacrifices before crossing the frontier to Zeus and Athena.
 At dawn on the day of battle a female goat was sacrificed to seek omens and if these
omens were favourable they could proceed to the front of Sparta and carried the fire of
these sacrifices with them throughout their campaign.

3. CONTINUATION OF
PREVIOUS SLIDE
 Considered a link between gods and man. Continued to hold position while things went well but
could be exiled for failure. Every nine years Ephor’s ‘looked into the sky’ for the gods approval or
disapproval.
 Consulted appointed two Pythioi (ambassadors of the political organisation of Sparta) to consult
oracle at Delphi and consult the oracle at Delphi and present them with the Pythia’s directions.
 Responsible for safety of the oracles.
Robert Parker states that “The power of prophecy, the sanctity of sanctuaries and festivals, the
threat of divine punishment are all distinctive features of the Spartan religion.” However what
was unique about these typically Greek features was their obedience and devotion.

4. QUOTATION
“After their deaths, they gain further privileges. Horsemen ride all over
Laconia announcing the news of a king’s death, while women beat on
cauldrons as they parade through the city. At the signal, two people from
each household (one man and one woman, neither of whom can be a slave)
have to disfigure themselves in the mourning, or else face a heavy fine.”
~ Herodotus “The Histories” [6.58]

5. DEATH OF A KING
CONTINUATION
 Women went about the capital banging cauldrons.
 One man and woman from each household dressed for mourning.
 Spartans, and people from Laconia forced to attend funeral.
 All declare that the just deceased king was the best she ever had.
 Crowd of Spartiates, Helots and Perioikoi gather and strike their heads and wail.
 For ten days following burial of the king, meetings were not permitted for markets or
to ordain or to select magistrates.
 Horseman travelled all over Laconia informing inhabitants.
 Failure to partake in the funeral, ended in heavy penalty!