Introduction
While Christianity is a relatively new religion compared to the three ancient civilizations of Rome, Greece, and Egypt, it has had a significant impact on burial practices. The Christian belief in resurrection and the afterlife has shaped the way Christians approach death and the burial process. However, there are still some similarities and differences between the burial practices of these ancient civilizations and Christianity.
Roman vs. Christian Traditions
The Romans placed great emphasis on honoring their dead and believed in the importance of a proper burial. However, their practice of cremation was not adopted by Christians, who believe in the resurrection of the body. Instead, Christians traditionally bury their dead in cemeteries or churchyards. The body is typically placed in a coffin and buried in the ground, with a headstone or marker to identify the grave.
Similarly, the Greeks considered a proper burial important, but their practice of cremation was not continued by Christians. In addition to burial, Christians also practice the tradition of entombment, where the body is placed in a mausoleum or crypt. This practice is often reserved for members of religious orders or prominent figures within the church.
Greek vs. Roman Rites
The ancient Greeks and Romans regarded the proper burial of the dead as a sacred duty. The custom was to take the bodies of the dead from the battlefield and even to fight a new battle with the enemy for them if necessary. There were two primary methods of burial: interment and incineration, which alternated at different periods in ancient history. Necropolises (“cities of the dead”) are a crucial source of information for the study of history, religious cults, and the ethnic and social composition of the population. Excavations of necropolises yield a large number of beautifully preserved artefacts of applied art.
According to Greek and Roman custom, necropolises were located outside the city walls or along roads. However, in some Doric polities, the necropolis was located within the city limits (Sparta, Megara, Tarentum). Sometimes, private gardens or fields served as cemeteries. Athens had a state necropolis in the Ceramica area near the Dipylon Gate, where Athenian citizens who died in war were buried. The Romans typically placed necropolises along roads to remind the living of their ancestors’ deeds.
Egyptian vs. Christian Practices
The Egyptians had a unique approach to burial practices, which was heavily influenced by their religious beliefs. While Christians do not practice mummification, they do believe in the importance of preserving the body for burial. Embalming is a common practice among Christians, particularly in Western cultures. The body is treated with chemicals to slow down decomposition and preserve it for viewing during a wake or visitation.
The body of the deceased must be preserved intact; only then can he be sent to the afterlife. It is crucial to keep the soul of the deceased (Ka) intact and undisturbed (Wolfram Grajetzki, 2021). Therefore, the Egyptians devised various ways to preserve the body of the deceased. The dead were buried in red-hot sand, and the graves were narrow and shallow. The deceased would dry out very quickly and thus be preserved for a long time. Later on, he was buried in a sarcophagus, and the body was embalmed before burial, so it wouldn’t decompose.
All relatives and friends attended the burial without fail. Mourners and a clergyman came only to the wealthy person. The deceased’s personal belongings and foodstuffs were brought and placed in the grave. Sometimes, animals were brought, or servants were buried alongside the body, which was meant to serve their master in the afterlife (Frisby, 2019). It was customary to read prayers, and after that, the casket was lowered into a stone sarcophagus. The casket was traditionally placed in the sarcophagus through a small hole, which was closed with a special plate. The mourners would leave, and the dead would begin the journey to the Western Kingdom.
Comparison
In terms of similarities, all four belief systems place great importance on proper burial practices and honoring the dead. They all believe in the existence of an afterlife and that the soul continues after death. Additionally, all four have some form of commemoration or marking of the grave or tomb. However, there are also significant differences in their approaches to burial practices (Frisby, 2019). The Romans and Greeks believed in the importance of burying the body intact. In contrast, Christians believe in the resurrection of the dead. The Egyptians believed in mummification and the preservation of the body. At the same time, Christians practice embalming to preserve the body for viewing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while it is clear that Christianity significantly shaped later burial practices, we can still observe noteworthy similarities and differences when comparing them to the funerary customs of ancient societies, such as the Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians. All four belief systems emphasize the vital importance of properly burying and honoring the dead. However, they differ in their specific methods, particularly in their stances on cremation, their techniques (or lack thereof) for preserving the body, and their choice of burial locations. These variations are a direct reflection of the unique beliefs, values, and traditions inherent in each culture.
References
Frisby, H. (2019). Traditions of Death and Burial. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Wolfram Grajetzki. (2021). The archaeology of Egyptian non-royal burial customs in New Kingdom Egypt and its empire. Cambridge University Press.