sagma

Sagma is a term that appears in ancient Greek literature, most notably in the works of Homer. It refers to a portion of meat, often a piece of cooked flesh, that was offered as a sacrifice to the gods. The act of offering sagma was a significant religious practice in ancient Greece, believed to appease deities and ensure their favor. The specific type of meat and the method of preparation could vary depending on the deity being honored and the particular ritual being performed. Archaeological evidence, such as depictions on pottery and in temple remains, sometimes illustrates these sacrificial practices. The concept of sagma highlights the importance of food offerings in ancient religious ceremonies and the symbolic exchange between humans and the divine. While the precise details of every sagma offering are not always clear from the surviving texts, its presence signifies a fundamental aspect of Greek worship and communal life.