Abstract
The following paper explains the underlying religious context of the use of katadesmoi (binding tablets) from Classical Greek society. Elements of examination include oath ceremonies, literary sources for binding, the development and role of Hermes, beliefs concerning souls of the dead, and lastly an explanation of how katadesmoi relate to these elements. Using historical analysis supported by Classical texts, such as Homer’s Odyssey and Aeschylus’ Choephoria, this paper establishes that katadesmoi reflect classical Greek religious beliefs. The religious context of these tablets is important to this field of study because it is an under-researched connection between these two topics.
How to Cite
Grimes, J., (2016) “Letters to the Underworld: The Religious Context of Classical Greek Katadesmoi”, Capstone, The UNC Asheville Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship 29(1).
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