Ancient Greece had very interesting celebrations and traditions to honor their gods. Many of these celebrations included festivals, sacrifices, and the Olympics.
Anthesteria: Typically celebrated annually for three days (11th-13th) in the month of Anthesterion (February-March). On the evening of the first day, which was named Pithoigia (Jar-opening), casks of the previous wine was brought to the sanctuary of Dionysus and libations were offered to Dionysus and were tasted by all the people in the household. The rooms and the drink vessels were made beautiful with spring flowers, as were the children over three years old.
On the second day, which is called Choes (Pitchers), it’s usually a time of enjoying yourself with drinking. People dressed gaily, some in costumes of mythical personages in the suite of Dionysus, and went around and visited their acquaintances. The event of the day was a drinking competition, where contestants sat at separate tables and competed in silence at completely drinking a chous, which was a five-liter container, of wine. Even the slaves got to drink some wine. Children got miniature choes as toys, and “first Choes” was a rite of passage.
During Anthesteria, people believed spirits of the dead walked the earth during this time, and the third day of the festival focused on this detail. The day was named Chytrio (pots) from the pots of seed and vegetable bran that were offered to the deceased. Also, people chewed leaves of whitethorn and smeared their doors with tar to keep themselves safe from evil. A common proverb from the time was, “Away with you, Keres (evil spirits), it is no longer Anthesteria.”
Also, during Anthesteria, the state conducted a secret ceremony in which the basilissa or basilinna, the wife of the king or basileus participated in a ceremonial marriage to the wine god Dionysus. She was helped by 14 Athenian matrons, called geraerae, chosen by the king and sworn to secrecy. The ritual was performed in a sanctuary of dionysus in the Lenaeum, which was only open on this day.
Anthesteria: Typically celebrated annually for three days (11th-13th) in the month of Anthesterion (February-March). On the evening of the first day, which was named Pithoigia (Jar-opening), casks of the previous wine was brought to the sanctuary of Dionysus and libations were offered to Dionysus and were tasted by all the people in the household. The rooms and the drink vessels were made beautiful with spring flowers, as were the children over three years old.
On the second day, which is called Choes (Pitchers), it’s usually a time of enjoying yourself with drinking. People dressed gaily, some in costumes of mythical personages in the suite of Dionysus, and went around and visited their acquaintances. The event of the day was a drinking competition, where contestants sat at separate tables and competed in silence at completely drinking a chous, which was a five-liter container, of wine. Even the slaves got to drink some wine. Children got miniature choes as toys, and “first Choes” was a rite of passage.
During Anthesteria, people believed spirits of the dead walked the earth during this time, and the third day of the festival focused on this detail. The day was named Chytrio (pots) from the pots of seed and vegetable bran that were offered to the deceased. Also, people chewed leaves of whitethorn and smeared their doors with tar to keep themselves safe from evil. A common proverb from the time was, “Away with you, Keres (evil spirits), it is no longer Anthesteria.”
Also, during Anthesteria, the state conducted a secret ceremony in which the basilissa or basilinna, the wife of the king or basileus participated in a ceremonial marriage to the wine god Dionysus. She was helped by 14 Athenian matrons, called geraerae, chosen by the king and sworn to secrecy. The ritual was performed in a sanctuary of dionysus in the Lenaeum, which was only open on this day.
Thargelia: In Athens on the 6th and 7th of Thargelion, which was late May, Thargelia was celebrated. Thargelia was a festival of Apollo. The festival was both a vegetation festive and a ritual expiation of communal guilt, or when all members of the community make errands of their guilt.
The first day of Thargelia featured the pharmakos (scapegoat). One of two people, either gender, were chosen to be a scapegoat. Typically, the scapegoat were criminals or outcasts, but rarely an important figure would sacrifice himself or herself for the city. The scapegoat was fed, shown through town, and then expelled from the city. In times of catastrophe, the scapegoat might be tossed off a cliff, thrown into sea, or sacrificed on a funeral pyre. The rite of the pharmakos cleansed the town and prepares for the new harvest.
The festival also included a first-fruits or harvest sacrifice in which a pot of the first grains were offered to the gods. This was the act that officially started the harvest season. Thargelia ends with a procession and the official registration of adopted people.
The first day of Thargelia featured the pharmakos (scapegoat). One of two people, either gender, were chosen to be a scapegoat. Typically, the scapegoat were criminals or outcasts, but rarely an important figure would sacrifice himself or herself for the city. The scapegoat was fed, shown through town, and then expelled from the city. In times of catastrophe, the scapegoat might be tossed off a cliff, thrown into sea, or sacrificed on a funeral pyre. The rite of the pharmakos cleansed the town and prepares for the new harvest.
The festival also included a first-fruits or harvest sacrifice in which a pot of the first grains were offered to the gods. This was the act that officially started the harvest season. Thargelia ends with a procession and the official registration of adopted people.
The Olympics: The ancient Olympics took place in Olympia, Greece in early 700 B.C. They were usually held in honor of the god Zeus. The games originally started as a on day event of festivities and a few athletic events. Over the years, they eventually expanded into a five-day many-event celebration.
The first day was devoted to sacrifices to the gods. On the second day the athletic events began. The main event was the footrace, in which runners either sprinted the length of the stadium, or ran long-distance a few laps around the track. Other days, the strength events were held. Wrestling, boxing, and the pancratium, which was both together, were popular. The pancratium was brutal. Nearly anything was allowed, and the competition continued until one of the contestants admitted defeat. Sometimes, broken bones were possible, and even death.
Some other popular events were the chariot races and the pentathlon. The pentathlon was a series of five events: sprinting, long-jumping, javelin-hurling, discus-throwing, and wrestling. The discus was a circular piece of stone, bronze, iron, or lead which the contestants hurled as far as they could. The javelin was a long pole the size of a man that athletes threw as far as they could. The long jump was more complicated. Contestants held stone weights to increase the length of the jump. The weights were held in front of the athlete during his ascent, and swung behind him and let go during his descent in order to propel him.
The first day was devoted to sacrifices to the gods. On the second day the athletic events began. The main event was the footrace, in which runners either sprinted the length of the stadium, or ran long-distance a few laps around the track. Other days, the strength events were held. Wrestling, boxing, and the pancratium, which was both together, were popular. The pancratium was brutal. Nearly anything was allowed, and the competition continued until one of the contestants admitted defeat. Sometimes, broken bones were possible, and even death.
Some other popular events were the chariot races and the pentathlon. The pentathlon was a series of five events: sprinting, long-jumping, javelin-hurling, discus-throwing, and wrestling. The discus was a circular piece of stone, bronze, iron, or lead which the contestants hurled as far as they could. The javelin was a long pole the size of a man that athletes threw as far as they could. The long jump was more complicated. Contestants held stone weights to increase the length of the jump. The weights were held in front of the athlete during his ascent, and swung behind him and let go during his descent in order to propel him.