hierodoulos

Hierodoulos is a Greek term that translates to "servant of a god" or "temple servant." In ancient Greek society, hierodouli were individuals dedicated to the service of a specific deity or a sanctuary. Their roles and responsibilities varied greatly depending on the cult and the particular temple.

Generally, hierodouli were not slaves in the conventional sense, though their status could be complex and sometimes overlapping with servitude. They might be freeborn individuals who voluntarily dedicated themselves to the god, or they could be former slaves who had been freed and then bound to temple service. In some cases, children might be dedicated to a god at birth and grow up to be hierodouli.

Their duties could include maintaining the temple grounds, caring for sacred objects, assisting in rituals and sacrifices, guarding the temple, and sometimes even performing artistic or musical functions as part of religious ceremonies. Some hierodouli also held significant economic responsibilities, managing temple lands or wealth. The exact legal and social standing of hierodouli differed across city-states and time periods, and their lives were often intertwined with the religious and economic life of the community.