Penny Arcade Forums› Help / Advice Forum
The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.

Ancient practice of burning bodies (pyres?)

Bwah?Bwah? Registered User regular
edited January 2009 in Help / Advice Forum
Hello hello for one of my college courses we are writing a report on customs of cultures in relation to how they dispose of the dead.

I decided the burning of bodies on those wood platforms with the coins on eyes would be an interesting choice, but I can't seem to find who or what to look for. I'd like to focus on the Midevilish European s

If I remember right this is featured in movies like Troy, Kingdom of heaven?, etc.


Anyone know what I'm talking about?

MGSsig.jpg
Bwah? on

Posts

  • Beren39Beren39 Registered User regular
    edited January 2009
    The placement of coins on the eyes is Saxon in origin if I remember correctly. As for the Greek practice, I think the coins were traditionally placed in the mouth so as to pay Charon to ferry you across the river Styx.

    Beren39 on
    Go, Go, EXCALIBUR! - Trent Varsity Swim Team 2009, better watch out for me Phelps!
    camo_sig.png
  • SeptusSeptus Registered User regular
    edited January 2009
    There are also native american tribes that did the same thing.

    Septus on
    PSN: Kurahoshi1
  • CorvusCorvus . VancouverRegistered User regular
    edited January 2009
    Its called a funeral pyre. Get researching.

    Corvus on
    :so_raven:
  • RuckusRuckus Registered User regular
    edited January 2009
    I good start would be to check out the wikipedia article on Cremation. They present a bit about the views of various religions and some ancient cultures.

    Ruckus on
  • BetelguesePDXBetelguesePDX Registered User regular
    edited January 2009
    Nowhere near medieval Europe but very interesting nonetheless

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sati_(practice)

    BetelguesePDX on
Sign In or Register to comment.
Penny Arcade Forums› Help / Advice Forum