Ancient Ephesus: Processions as Media of Religious and Secular Propaganda
The significance of religious rituals often reaches beyond their strict religious intentions. Specifically a procession, performed in front of the public, is a most effective instrument of disseminating a message to the crowds. Consequently, this ritual, as is well known, has often been used not onl...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Donner Institute
1993-01-01
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| Series: | Scripta Instituti Donneriani Aboensis |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journal.fi/scripta/article/view/67212 |
| _version_ | 1818038188019548160 |
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| author | Lilian Portefaix |
| author_facet | Lilian Portefaix |
| author_sort | Lilian Portefaix |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The significance of religious rituals often reaches beyond their strict religious intentions. Specifically a procession, performed in front of the public, is a most effective instrument of disseminating a message to the crowds. Consequently, this ritual, as is well known, has often been used not only in religious but also in secular contexts; a procession under the cloak of religion can even become a politically useful medium to avoid popular disturbances on peaceful terms. This was the case in ancient Ephesus, where Roman power conflicted with Greek culture from the middle of the first century B.C. onwards. In the beginning of the second century A.D. the public religious life in the city of Ephesus was to a great extent characterized by processions relating to the cult of Artemis Ephesia. The one traditionally performed on the birthday of the goddess called to mind the Greek origin of the city; it was strictly associated with the religious sphere bringing about a close relationship between the goddess and her adherents. The other, artificially created by a Roman, was entirely secular, and spread its message every fortnight in the streets of Ephesus. It referred to the political field of action and intended to strengthen the Roman rule over the city. The Greek origin of Ephesian culture was later included in the message of the procession, reminding the Greeks not to rebel against Roman rule. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T07:38:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-54d52bfe16ce488f9f0b76c25f6856d7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0582-3226 2343-4937 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T07:38:46Z |
| publishDate | 1993-01-01 |
| publisher | Donner Institute |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scripta Instituti Donneriani Aboensis |
| spelling | doaj.art-54d52bfe16ce488f9f0b76c25f6856d72022-12-22T01:57:22ZengDonner InstituteScripta Instituti Donneriani Aboensis0582-32262343-49371993-01-011510.30674/scripta.67212Ancient Ephesus: Processions as Media of Religious and Secular PropagandaLilian PortefaixThe significance of religious rituals often reaches beyond their strict religious intentions. Specifically a procession, performed in front of the public, is a most effective instrument of disseminating a message to the crowds. Consequently, this ritual, as is well known, has often been used not only in religious but also in secular contexts; a procession under the cloak of religion can even become a politically useful medium to avoid popular disturbances on peaceful terms. This was the case in ancient Ephesus, where Roman power conflicted with Greek culture from the middle of the first century B.C. onwards. In the beginning of the second century A.D. the public religious life in the city of Ephesus was to a great extent characterized by processions relating to the cult of Artemis Ephesia. The one traditionally performed on the birthday of the goddess called to mind the Greek origin of the city; it was strictly associated with the religious sphere bringing about a close relationship between the goddess and her adherents. The other, artificially created by a Roman, was entirely secular, and spread its message every fortnight in the streets of Ephesus. It referred to the political field of action and intended to strengthen the Roman rule over the city. The Greek origin of Ephesian culture was later included in the message of the procession, reminding the Greeks not to rebel against Roman rule.https://journal.fi/scripta/article/view/67212PropagandaHoly Roman EmpireGreek religionRoman religionProcessionsRitual |
| spellingShingle | Lilian Portefaix Ancient Ephesus: Processions as Media of Religious and Secular Propaganda Scripta Instituti Donneriani Aboensis Propaganda Holy Roman Empire Greek religion Roman religion Processions Ritual |
| title | Ancient Ephesus: Processions as Media of Religious and Secular Propaganda |
| title_full | Ancient Ephesus: Processions as Media of Religious and Secular Propaganda |
| title_fullStr | Ancient Ephesus: Processions as Media of Religious and Secular Propaganda |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ancient Ephesus: Processions as Media of Religious and Secular Propaganda |
| title_short | Ancient Ephesus: Processions as Media of Religious and Secular Propaganda |
| title_sort | ancient ephesus processions as media of religious and secular propaganda |
| topic | Propaganda Holy Roman Empire Greek religion Roman religion Processions Ritual |
| url | https://journal.fi/scripta/article/view/67212 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lilianportefaix ancientephesusprocessionsasmediaofreligiousandsecularpropaganda |