RLGA01H3 Study Guide - Final Guide: Official Language, Substance Theory, Chastity
Document Summary
4 concepts shared virtually by all human cultures: powerful gods, after death life, sacred places. 10 waves of religion: shamanism (acting intermediary between humans & spirits) Shaman performing rituals to celebrate success of hunts. Shaman"s soul leaves body and travels to other spirits. Shaman calls spirits into body then possessed by it: connecting to the cosmos. Motivation: leader desired demonstration of his power over people. Important function of priest: track seasons & determine best time for seasonal activities. Astrology: understanding cycles of seasons & fitting humans. Decisions made through expert consulting movement of sun, moon, planets, stars. Link between earth & sky = axis mundi. Most powerful male deities w/ strength & virility. Association of bull seen as judaism: temple religion. Larger temples, sacrificial rituals & development of priestly class. Most important cultural system (around black sea) 4 divisions of social system : top 3 = priests, warriors, middle-class (brahmins, vaishyas)
