religion:
DESCRIPTION:
Phoenician religion was inspired by the powers and processes of nature. Many of the gods they worshiped, however, were localized and are now known only under their local names. A pantheon was presided over by the father of the gods, but a goddess was the principal figure in the Phoenician pantheon. INSTITUTIONS & PRACTICES:
The temple typically occupied a dominating site in the city along with the palace. Like the palace, it had political, administrative, and economic functions, as well as its distinctive religious functions. It was staffed by priests, singers and other musicians, diviners, scribes, and other specialists. There sacrifices of animals and children (in some Phoenician colonies in the Mediterranean) were offered to the gods. SOURCES:
- http://phoenicia.org/pagan.html - http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/arc/profilecoin/html/religion.html |
FAITH SYSTEMS OF GODS AND GODDESSES:
The system of gods and goddesses in Phoenician religion was influenced by and has influenced other cultures. As indicated below, there are too many similarities to be overlooked. In some instances the names of gods underwent very little change when they were borrowed. Even the legends maintained major similarities. For example, Ashtarte in Phoenician and Aphrodite in Greek or Adonis in both. Egyptian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Persian and others had their influences on the Phoenician faith system and borrowed from it. GODS & GODDESSES:
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SOCIAL CLASSES:
DESCRIPTION:
Ancient Phoenicians practiced a hierarchical structure among themselves to organize their society where their society got divided into three major classes: Social Class, Middle Class and working class. THE KING:
• Top of the society and social hierarchy. • Kings being the rulers of the entire kingdom were not considered a part of the social hierarchy. • Believed that the kings were divine agents and all the land, people and assets in the kingdom belonged to the King. • Major responsibility was to appoint elite officers at various social institutions. MIDDLE CLASS:
• Comprised of farmers, fishermen, craftsmen and merchants. • Also enjoyed certain privileges and possessed certain rights • Was also considered as one of the important sections of society • They were responsible for fulfilling the day to day needs of people ranging from food to other material goods. • Merchants used to trade & barter things that was required in exchange of the things that were surplus in the kingdom. • They were running the economy of the kingdom, in a way. |
SOCIAL CLASS:
• Comprised of the elite people of the society • Included government officials, Land owners and priests. people who were given the utmost importance in the society. • Although the Main city was ruled by king, the king was not considered as the part of the hierarchy. • Possessed the major powers and aristocracy. WORKING CLASS:
• Included the lowest level citizens like the servants and slaves. • The people who acquired the bottom level in the society and were responsible for serving the rich people. • Although they had the least set of rights in the society but the laws & regulations of society protected them from to some extent. • They had the right to speak for themselves given to them by the law. • They also possessed the right of earning money and buying their freedom by it. • They were free to pay the price for their freedom and join the middle class. |