Abbreviations I. Reference works and epigraphical publications AB = Analecta Bollandiana, Brussels ALG = Anthologia Lyrica Graeca, E. Diehl. 2 vols. Teubner, 2 ed., Leipzig, 1936 AP = Anthologia Palatina, ed. H. Beckby (Anthologia Graeca), Munich, 1957 AS = Acta Sanctorum, J. Bolland, Paris, 1863–1940 Bonn = Corpus Scriptorum Historiae Byzantinae, Bonn, 1829–97 … Read more
Bibliography Abbreviations for reference works, epigraphical publications and periodicals are listed at the end of the bibliography. All references in the bibliography are to page numbers, except in the case of some collections of folk songs, where (no.) after the item indicates that references are to numbered texts and not to pages. [Reprints or more recent editions of books used in the first edition of the Ritual… Read more
9. The allusive method Part of the artistic economy in the language of folk tradition is the allusive method, by which a fact or an idea is expressed indirectly but concretely through symbols. [1] In the lament, it has a further ritual significance, since the mourner may deliberately avoid explicit reference to death, addressing the dead in a series of striking images… Read more
8. Conventions, themes and formulae We have seen in the last chapter that the structure of the ancient thrênos had much in common with the structure of the hýmnos, enkómion and epitáphios. The same is true of many of the ideas. [1] The similarities between these ancient forms arise from their common ritual basis: since the dead were not infrequently men who… Read more
7. Antiphonal structure and antithetical thought So far we have considered the lament for the dead both in relation to the funeral ritual of which it is still an integral part, and in relation to other kinds of ritual laments and songs to the dead. The similarities between the ancient and modern material may be explained partly in terms of the common cultural basis of all such… Read more
6. The classification of ancient and modern laments and songs to the dead The difficulties involved in making a satisfactory classification of ancient types of lament arise from the conflicting nature of the evidence. Classical and post-classical poetic usage tended to treat the various terms as synonymous, with few real distinctions. In an attempt to impose order, Alexandrian and later scholars neatly divided and defined, but with… Read more
5. The historical lament for the fall or destruction of cities Laments for cities are inspired initially by historical events. They do not belong essentially to the same group of ritual, functional songs as the laments for the dead or for gods which have been discussed so far. It would therefore be outside the scope of the present book to make an exhaustive study of all the… Read more
4. The ritual lament for gods and heroes The close connection between ritual and lamentation analysed in Part I suggests that the traditional lament for the dead fulfils a dual function: objectively, it is designed to honour and appease the dead, while subjectively, it gives expression to a wide range of conflicting emotions. But the lament for the dead should not be viewed in isolation from two… Read more
3. Modern survivals In a country with a large rural population like Greece, where geographical conditions and backward communications have led to the growth of isolated and self-contained communities, each preserving distinct its local dialect and traditions, it is natural to find many pre-Christian survivals, especially in connection with something so fundamental as death. The mere existence of ritual beliefs and practices in Greece today does not… Read more
2. From paganism to Christianity We have seen in the first chapter how the function and purpose of the lament changed in accordance with the historical developments of antiquity. What was the impact of the economic, social and religious upheavals which accompanied the decline of the ancient world and the rise of Byzantium? Was there not an inevitable transformation by Christianity of all the most characteristic features… Read more
