archaicwonder:Boeotian Greek  Terracotta Female Mourner, Late Orientalizing or Early Archaic Pe

archaicwonder:Boeotian Greek  Terracotta Female Mourner, Late Orientalizing or Early Archaic Period, C. 600 BCWomen played a major role in ancient Greek funeral rites. They were in charge of preparing the body, which was washed, anointed and adorned with a wreath. After the body was prepared, it was laid out for viewing on the second day. Kinswomen, wrapped in dark robes, stood round the bier, the chief mourner, either mother or wife, was at the head, and others behind. This part of the funeral rites was called the prothesis. Women led the mourning by chanting dirges, tearing at their clothing and hair (like this statue), and striking their torso, particularly their breasts.Small terracotta female mourner figurines such as the one above were usually made to be incorporated into a larger terracotta vessels to be left as grave goods for the deceased.More about ancient Greek mourning practices… -- source link

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