Bathing in Homer

Abstract

Bathing and washing are important features of Homeric aristocratic life. Generally two distinct verbs are used to describe washing and bathing. A number of more specialized words are derived from these basic verbs. All occurrences of these words are listed and studied. Personal hygiene was not important to a Homeric hero. People did not bathe because they needed to but because they were expected to. Bathing and washing were acts of purification. The washing of hands before meals, prayers, and sacrifices is discussed as is the role of bathing in the requirements of friendship. The use of an elaborate formula to describe the washing of hands before meals suggests it was an important action. While on these occasions water is specifically prepared for the washing this was not always necessary. On two occasions sea water is used for purification. Very little detail is given in Homer about where and how people bathe. From looking at each instance a general picture can be drawn. The man gets into the bath where he is bathed, anointed and dressed by a woman. He then joins an assembled group for a meal. People bathe for a variety of reasons. Analysis of these shows that the women who wash or undergo any type of beautification do so for the benefit of a man. The men however bathe for many reasons both religious and customary but never to please any one woman. When people wash for the wrong reasons it reflects very badly on their characters. This study of bathing in Homer reveals an important link between bathing, social status, civilization, and most importantly the home. This is seen to apply to both mortals and immortals as the bathing of Ares and Aphrodite symbolizes their return and acceptance home. A mark of a civilized man is that he has a home, somewhere he is both respected and loved.