pharmakos Definition
a ritualistic sacrifice or exile of a person or animal believed to be responsible for bringing misfortune or disease upon a community in ancient Greek society.
Using pharmakos: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "pharmakos" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
In ancient Greece, the pharmakos was often a criminal or a slave who was chosen to be sacrificed or exiled.
Example
The pharmakos ceremony was believed to cleanse the community of evil and misfortune.
Example
The practice of pharmakos was eventually abolished in ancient Greece.
Phrases with pharmakos
a psychological concept that refers to the tendency of societies to scapegoat individuals or groups for their problems
Example
The pharmakos complex is still present in modern societies, where certain groups are blamed for social or economic issues.
a psychological condition characterized by feelings of guilt and self-blame, often associated with being a scapegoat or victim of abuse
Example
The victim of bullying developed a pharmakos syndrome, blaming themselves for the mistreatment they received.
Origins of pharmakos
from Greek 'pharmakon', meaning 'drug' or 'remedy'
Summary: pharmakos in Brief
'Pharmakos' [fahr-muh-kos] is a noun that refers to a ritualistic sacrifice or exile of a person or animal believed to be responsible for bringing misfortune or disease upon a community in ancient Greek society. The practice aimed to cleanse the community of evil and misfortune. The term extends into phrases like 'pharmakos complex,' a psychological concept that refers to the tendency of societies to scapegoat individuals or groups for their problems.
