What is the meaning of "lustration"?

The term "lustration" refers to the act of purification through ritual, often used in historical and religious contexts. In Ancient Greece, as well as in other cultures, lustration was a ceremonial practice intended to cleanse individuals or communities of pollution or guilt, particularly following events such as death or other forms of ritual defilement. This process typically involved sacrifices or specific rites aimed at restoring spiritual purity.

Understanding this concept is essential in the context of "Oedipus Rex," where themes of fate, guilt, and purification are central. Throughout the play, the characters grapple with the consequences of their actions and the need for cleansing from the moral and social taint that results from those actions, making the idea of lustration particularly relevant to the narrative and its themes.