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Thymiaterion

Type of incense burner From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thymiaterion
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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.

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Etruscan bronze thymiaterion (late 6th–early 5th century BCE, Metropolitan Museum, New York
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A woman sprinkles incense on a thymiaterion (Roman funerary altar, 2nd century CE, Skulpturensammlung, Dresden))

The first mention of thymiateria is found in Herodotus's Historia.[1] They were used for rituals, including temple rituals, weddings, and funerals, in ancient Greece as early as the 6th century BC. [1] Thymiateria could take a wide variety of forms,[2] ranging from simple earthenware pots to elaborate carved, wheel-turned or cast items made from clay or bronze.[3]

The term has also come to refer to the censers of other peoples of the ancient world, such as the Phoenicians and Etruscans.[4]

Various types of thymiateria are still used in Greek Orthodox rituals. They are commonly known also as "livanisteria" (from the word livanos, transl.incense).

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