Neokoros was a sacral office in Ancient Greece associated with the custody of a temple.
The term neokoros (νεωκόρος) probably derived from νεώς 'temple' + κορέω 'to sweep', as in a temple-sweeper. The term meant the custodian of a temple, analogous to a sacristan. Similar terms used instead of neokoros were ζάκορος (zakoros), ναοφύλαξ (naophylax), and νηοπόλος (neopolos).
In Classical Greece, the neokoroi belonged to the priestly class, but usually had a low status commensurate with their duties. In most known cases, they assumed auxiliary functions, although in some places they could substitute for the actual temple priest. On the sacred island of Delos the neocorate appears to have been a magistracy.
Over time, especially in Asia, the neocorate became more important, as it was assumed by local magnates; its holders made donations to the temple and tried to commemorate their term of office.
In the early Roman Empire, the title began to be used for entire cities, which thus were neokoroi of their patron deities, such as Ephesus with Artemis, or associated with building a Roman imperial cult temple recognized as of province-wide significance. As a highly prestigious title, cities vied for it, and the more wealthy cities sought and received the title multiple times, for temples dedicated to different emperors.
The term neokoros (νεωκόρος) probably derived from νεώς 'temple' + κορέω 'to sweep', as in a temple-sweeper. The term meant the custodian of a temple, analogous to a sacristan. Similar terms used instead of neokoros were ζάκορος (zakoros), ναοφύλαξ (naophylax), and νηοπόλος (neopolos).
In Classical Greece, the neokoroi belonged to the priestly class, but usually had a low status commensurate with their duties. In most known cases, they assumed auxiliary functions, although in some places they could substitute for the actual temple priest. On the sacred island of Delos the neocorate appears to have been a magistracy.
Over time, especially in Asia, the neocorate became more important, as it was assumed by local magnates; its holders made donations to the temple and tried to commemorate their term of office.
In the early Roman Empire, the title began to be used for entire cities, which thus were neokoroi of their patron deities, such as Ephesus with Artemis, or associated with building a Roman imperial cult temple recognized as of province-wide significance. As a highly prestigious title, cities vied for it, and the more wealthy cities sought and received the title multiple times, for temples dedicated to different emperors.
Ephesus very much wanted to have such a temple for the first emperor Augustus, but that honor went to another important city, Pergamon; and then to Smyrna, which won a contest to build the temple to the emperor Tiberius, his mother Livia, and the Senate. Ephesus was ruled out of that competition because it was too totally devoted to its chief goddess Artemis. [However] By the late 80's, Ephesus had built a brand-new "Temple of the Augusti." "https://www.mq.edu.au/research/research ... ple-warden
Statistics: Posted by MrMacSon — Tue Nov 05, 2024 2:32 am — Replies 2 — Views 12