sphagia, in ancient Greek religion, a propitiatory sacrifice
made to the chthonic (underworld) deities and forces (including
the winds and the spirits of the dead). Unlike the joyful
sacrifices to the celestial gods, there was no sharing of the
oblation by the worshippers of the sphagia. The victim, either a
human being or an animal substitute, was cut to pieces and
burned, buried, or cast into a river. The sphagia was performed
primarily before battles and at funerals.