Stone as the purification tool: stoning of Ancient Greeks as the puryficatory practice Cover Image

Kamień narzędziem puryfikacji: kamienowanie starożytnych Greków jako rytuał oczyszczenia
Stone as the purification tool: stoning of Ancient Greeks as the puryficatory practice

Author(s): Jan Skarbek-Kazanecki
Subject(s): Semiology, Theology and Religion, Sociology of Culture
Published by: Fundacja Pro Scientia Publica
Keywords: stoning; stain; purification; pharmakos; expulsion;

Summary/Abstract: Understanding of guilt in Ancient Greece was deeply ingrained in symbolic language; particularly any behaviour that could be tied to offence was connected with the religious „stain” (grc. miasma) and the common fear of having contact with someone who is „unclean”. Also, the ritual of stoning, which was the main form of capital punishment, was one of the methods of purification. However, most publications on the issue of Greek stain exclude the question of stoning. The aim of the publication is to complete this omission and to show the religious connotation of the act of throwing stones in Ancient Greece.

  • Issue Year: 2015
  • Issue No: 5
  • Page Range: 32-40
  • Page Count: 9
  • Language: Polish