Roman Tears in a Bottle

Click here for some lovely pictures of Unguentaria, often associated with ancient Roman burials. They are believed to have held various perfumes and potions on behalf of the deceased... and possibly even the tears of mourning relatives (hence, they're also known as Lacrimaria)...

What might such rituals suggest about connections (and perhaps obligations) between the living and the dead?

Death and Dying in Ancient Greece

Click here (MetMuseum) to browse lots of neat artifacts and info...

Anything in particular catch your eye?

I Want My Mummy!

Click here (BritishMuseum) for an informative tour of mummification rites and techniques in Ancient Egypt...

How magical vs. medical vs. religious were rites like this? Can we make any meaningful distinctions?

Roadmap to the Afterlife

Click here (blogspot.com) for expandable portraits of the entire Papyrus of Ani, popularly known at the Egyptian 'Book of the Dead' (which we'll discuss in class on Wed)...

What are your immediate observations/reactions about the artwork? To the spatial relationships between the images and the writing? Why do you suppose both media be necessary to successfully navigating the afterlife?