Masks in Ancient Greek Religion
The purpose of this paper is an overview of using of masks in the Greek religious tradition based on the analysis of the literary tradition, vase painting and archeology. The article focuses on the mask associated with the Cretan bull-god, Gorgon, Artemis, Dionysus, Demeter, river gods. Particular attention is paid to the use of masks in the Greek mysteries and the funeral cult. On the basis of this analysis it is concluded that it is not necessary to associate the use of masks in the ancient world only with the cult of Dionysus. More likely is a strong influence of eastern traditions in the II millennium BC, but later masks were squeezed to the periphery of religious life and to the carnival, keeping its place only in rituals and sacraments of some local cults.