Thymiaterion

File:Bronze thymiaterion (incense burner) MET DP119634.jpg

Etruscan bronze thymiaterion (late 6th–early 5th century BCE, Metropolitan Museum, New York

File:Funerary altar of a Roman woman (SK Dresden Hm 359) 02.jpg

A woman sprinkles incense on a thymiaterion (Roman funerary altar, 2nd century CE, Skulpturensammlung, Dresden))

A thymiaterion (from Ancient Greek: θυμιατήριον from θυμιάειν thymiaein "to smoke"; plural thymiateria) is a type of censer or incense burner. Thymiateria have been used in the Mediterranean region since antiquity for spiritual and religious purposes and especially in religious ceremonies.

The first mention of thymiateria is found in Herodotus's Historia.<ref name = "problems">Template:Cite journal</ref> They were used for rituals, including temple rituals, weddings, and funerals, in ancient Greece as early as the 6th century BC. <ref name = "problems" /> Thymiateria could take a wide variety of forms,Template:Sfn ranging from simple earthenware pots to elaborate carved, wheel-turned or cast items made from clay or bronze.Template:Sfn

The term has also come to refer to the censers of other peoples of the ancient world, such as the Phoenicians and Etruscans.Template:Sfn

Various types of thymiateria are still used in Greek Orthodox rituals. They are commonly known also as "livanisteria" (from the word {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, Template:Translation).

Bibliography

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External links

A photograph of a typical themiaterion used officially in churches.

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