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MDS2/3 TGW

Ancient Greece:

Festivals and Religion

Gillian Shepherd

The ancient Greeks did not have a holy book like the Hebrew Bible or the Koran or

the Zoroastrian Avesta. Indeed there was no a catechism of uniform and

authoritative doctrines, nor was there a concept of incorrect doctrine or heresy.

The Greeks certainly told stories about their gods, we know these stories as myth,

but this body of traditional tales was constantly changing.

Greek religion was not matter of believing but of doing. Religion was a matter of

honouring the gods through ancestral customs: festivals, rituals and dedications.

Communication with the divine occurred through sacrifice, oracles and signs.

2. there was complete integration of what we would call sacred and secular; the

government funded public worship and enforced laws that demanded that citizens

participate in religious festivals and observances for the good of the community.

Image source: https://www.boundless.com/art-history/ancient-greece/the-greek-

civilization/religion-and-sacred-spaces/ Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License

https://www.boundless.com/art-history/ancient-greece/the-greek-civilization/religion-and-sacred-spaces/https://www.boundless.com/art-history/ancient-greece/the-greek-civilization/religion-and-sacred-spaces/https://www.boundless.com/art-history/ancient-greece/the-greek-civilization/religion-and-sacred-spaces/https://www.boundless.com/art-history/ancient-greece/the-greek-civilization/religion-and-sacred-spaces/https://www.boundless.com/art-history/ancient-greece/the-greek-civilization/religion-and-sacred-spaces/https://www.boundless.com/art-history/ancient-greece/the-greek-civilization/religion-and-sacred-spaces/https://www.boundless.com/art-history/ancient-greece/the-greek-civilization/religion-and-sacred-spaces/https://www.boundless.com/art-history/ancient-greece/the-greek-civilization/religion-and-sacred-spaces/https://www.boundless.com/art-history/ancient-greece/the-greek-civilization/religion-and-sacred-spaces/https://www.boundless.com/art-history/ancient-greece/the-greek-civilization/religion-and-sacred-spaces/https://www.boundless.com/art-history/ancient-greece/the-greek-civilization/religion-and-sacred-spaces/https://www.boundless.com/art-history/ancient-greece/the-greek-civilization/religion-and-sacred-spaces/https://www.boundless.com/art-history/ancient-greece/the-greek-civilization/religion-and-sacred-spaces/https://www.boundless.com/art-history/ancient-greece/the-greek-civilization/religion-and-sacred-spaces/https://www.boundless.com/art-history/ancient-greece/the-greek-civilization/religion-and-sacred-spaces/

Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi creative commons.

Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Delphi_Composite.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Delphi_Composite.jpg

The ancient stadium Nemea.

Creative Commons

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nemea_Stadion_2008-09-12.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Greek_vase_with_runners_at_the_panathenaic_games_530_bC.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Greek_vase_with_runners_at_the_panathenaic_games_530_bC.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nemea_Stadion_2008-09-12.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nemea_Stadion_2008-09-12.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nemea_Stadion_2008-09-12.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nemea_Stadion_2008-09-12.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nemea_Stadion_2008-09-12.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nemea_Stadion_2008-09-12.jpg

Hekatombaion- Kronia (Cronus and Rhea); Synoikia (Athena? and Eirene);

Panathenaia (Athena).

Metageitnion-Heracleia (Heracles); Eleutheria (Zeus)

Boedromion-Gemesia/Nemesia/Nekysia (Gaia); Marathon (Artemis); Boedromia

( Apollo); Charisteria (Athena ?); Eleusinia (Demeter and Persephone); Asklepeia,

(Asclepius)

Pyanopsion- Pyanopsia (Apollo); Oschophoria (Apollo); Theseia (Theseus);

Thesmophoria (Demeter and Persephone); Apatouria (Zeus Phratrios and

Athena); Chalkeia (Athena and Hephaestus)

Maimakterion

Poseidon-Country Dionysia (Dionysus); Haloia (Dionysus)

Gamelion-Epilinaia (Dionysus; Theogamia (Zeus and Hera)

Anthesterion-Anthisteria (Dionysus); Lesser Mysteries (Demeter, Persephone,

and Dionysus); Diaisia (Zeus Meilichios).

Elapebolion-City Dionysia (Dionysus); Pandia (Zeus)

Mounychion-Delphinia (Apollo); Mounichia (Artemis); Olympieia (Zeus)

Thargelion-Thargelia (Apollo); Bendideia (Artemis Bendis); Kallynteria (Athena);

Plynteria (Athena).

Skiraphorion-Skira/Skiraphoria (Athena); Dipolia/Disoteria (Zeus Polieus).

summer

autumn

winter

spring

summer

Sacrifice of a young

boar,

Attic red-figure cup,

ca. 510 BC–500 BCE.

http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/LX/

SacrificeBoarLouvreG112.jpg

http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/LX/SacrificeBoarLouvreG112.jpghttp://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/LX/SacrificeBoarLouvreG112.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2115/

2239021642_af05809558_z.jpg?zz

=1

Athene’s victory over

Enceladus

From a statue group

depicting the

Gigantomachy (the

battle between the

Olympian gods and the

Giants)

Athens Acropolis, ca

525 BCE.

Image source: http://employees.oneonta.edu/farberas/arth/arth209/parthenon_gallery.html

http://employees.oneonta.edu/farberas/arth/arth209/parthenon_gallery.htmlhttp://employees.oneonta.edu/farberas/arth/arth209/parthenon_gallery.html

https://sites.google.com/site/publicprocessiongallery/home/athens/the-panathenaic-procession/the-ancient-agora-and-panathenaic-way

https://sites.google.com/site/publicprocessiongallery/home/athens/the-panathenaic-procession/the-ancient-agora-and-panathenaic-wayhttps://sites.google.com/site/publicprocessiongallery/home/athens/the-panathenaic-procession/the-ancient-agora-and-panathenaic-wayhttps://sites.google.com/site/publicprocessiongallery/home/athens/the-panathenaic-procession/the-ancient-agora-and-panathenaic-wayhttps://sites.google.com/site/publicprocessiongallery/home/athens/the-panathenaic-procession/the-ancient-agora-and-panathenaic-wayhttps://sites.google.com/site/publicprocessiongallery/home/athens/the-panathenaic-procession/the-ancient-agora-and-panathenaic-wayhttps://sites.google.com/site/publicprocessiongallery/home/athens/the-panathenaic-procession/the-ancient-agora-and-panathenaic-wayhttps://sites.google.com/site/publicprocessiongallery/home/athens/the-panathenaic-procession/the-ancient-agora-and-panathenaic-wayhttps://sites.google.com/site/publicprocessiongallery/home/athens/the-panathenaic-procession/the-ancient-agora-and-panathenaic-wayhttps://sites.google.com/site/publicprocessiongallery/home/athens/the-panathenaic-procession/the-ancient-agora-and-panathenaic-wayhttps://sites.google.com/site/publicprocessiongallery/home/athens/the-panathenaic-procession/the-ancient-agora-and-panathenaic-wayhttps://sites.google.com/site/publicprocessiongallery/home/athens/the-panathenaic-procession/the-ancient-agora-and-panathenaic-wayhttps://sites.google.com/site/publicprocessiongallery/home/athens/the-panathenaic-procession/the-ancient-agora-and-panathenaic-wayhttps://sites.google.com/site/publicprocessiongallery/home/athens/the-panathenaic-procession/the-ancient-agora-and-panathenaic-wayhttps://sites.google.com/site/publicprocessiongallery/home/athens/the-panathenaic-procession/the-ancient-agora-and-panathenaic-wayhttps://sites.google.com/site/publicprocessiongallery/home/athens/the-panathenaic-procession/the-ancient-agora-and-panathenaic-wayhttps://sites.google.com/site/publicprocessiongallery/home/athens/the-panathenaic-procession/the-ancient-agora-and-panathenaic-way

Image source:

http://www.utexas.edu/courses/introgreece/penelope_weaving.jpg

Image source:

http://upload.wikimedia.or

g/wikipedia/commons/9/9

3/NAMABG-

Peplos_kore_as_Athena-

Artemis.JPG

Attic red figure skyphos,

Chiusi, Penelope Painter: Penelope

and Telemachos, ca . 430 BCE

Reconstructed

Peplos kore.

Staatliche

Antikensammlunge

n und Glyptothe

http://www.utexas.edu/courses/introgreece/penelope_weaving.jpghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/NAMABG-Peplos_kore_as_Athena-Artemis.JPGhttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/NAMABG-Peplos_kore_as_Athena-Artemis.JPGhttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/NAMABG-Peplos_kore_as_Athena-Artemis.JPGhttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/NAMABG-Peplos_kore_as_Athena-Artemis.JPGhttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/NAMABG-Peplos_kore_as_Athena-Artemis.JPGhttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/NAMABG-Peplos_kore_as_Athena-Artemis.JPGhttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/NAMABG-Peplos_kore_as_Athena-Artemis.JPG

Image source http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Erechtheum1.JPG

commons

Erechtheion

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Erechtheum1.JPG

Women engaged in

wool working

Lekythos, ca. 550–

530 BCE.

Image source: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/31.11.10

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/31.11.10http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/31.11.10http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/31.11.10http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/31.11.10http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/31.11.10

Image source:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ancientcivilizations/2214554375/sizes/o/in/set-

72157603781923290/

License All rights reserved by Journey to Ancient Civilizations

Parthenon (northwest)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ancientcivilizations/2214554375/sizes/o/in/set-72157603781923290/http://www.flickr.com/photos/ancientcivilizations/2214554375/sizes/o/in/set-72157603781923290/http://www.flickr.com/photos/ancientcivilizations/2214554375/sizes/o/in/set-72157603781923290/

Image source: http://gallery.nen.gov.uk/asset73083_1158-.html

Parthenon Freize

http://gallery.nen.gov.uk/asset73083_1158-.htmlhttp://gallery.nen.gov.uk/asset73083_1158-.htmlhttp://gallery.nen.gov.uk/asset73083_1158-.html

Image source: http://repository.parthenonfrieze.gr/frieze/retrieve/1633/n47_LARGE_NUM.jpg

http://repository.parthenonfrieze.gr/frieze/retrieve/1633/n47_LARGE_NUM.jpghttp://repository.parthenonfrieze.gr/frieze/retrieve/1633/n47_LARGE_NUM.jpg

So-called Ergastinai (“weavers”) block, from the east frieze of the Parthenon in

Athens. c. 445–435 BCE currently in the Louvre.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Egastinai_frieze_Louvre_MR825.jpg. Public domain.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Parthenonhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Athenshttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Athenshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Egastinai_frieze_Louvre_MR825.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Peplos scene_BM.JPG

GNU Free Documentation License,

Peplos scene? Parthenon freize 445 BCE

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Peplos_scene_BM_EastV_cropped.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:GNU_Free_Documentation_License

http://www.ekt.gr/parthenonfrieze_text_version/images/east/E5.jpg

(left) two maidens carry diphroi (stools) on their heads; one in frontal stance, the other

moving toward the centre. These may be the arrephoroi, girls aged 7 to 11 who took

part in beginning the weaving of the goddess’ peplos with the ergastinai. The women

receiving the stool from the second girl may be the priestess of Athena.

The man behind the priestess may be the archon-basileus. He is folding or unfolding

Athena’s peplos, aided by a boy. On the right side of block V the goddess Athena (36)

sits with her back to the peplos scene, beside her is a bearded god whose walking-

stick identifies him as Hephaistos.

http://www.ekt.gr/parthenonfrieze_text_version/images/east/E5.jpg

Greater Panathenaia: Hecatombaion 23-30. (sunset to sunset)

Hecatombaion 23-27: days 1-5

agones, or games: athletic contests: races over various distances, javelin, discus,

pankration, jumping, a hoplite race in armor, a javelin throw from horseback, team

events such as mock battles on horseback, recitations of the Iliad and Odyssey in

which contestants were required to continue from wherever the previous singer

ended, musical competitions, the euandria.

Hecatombaion 28: day 6

The great procession. After all night celebration and dancing (pannychis), the day

begins with a torch race from the grove of the Acadamia to the Acropolis to light the

fire on Athena’s altar. The great pompe follows.

Hecatombaion 29-30: day 7-8

equestrian events including a race (apabatoi) in which lightly armed warriors leapt off

racing chariots at full speed, and a regatta.

Prize giving

Jeffery Hurwitt, 1998.The Athenian Acropolis: History, Mythology, and Archaeology from the Neolithic Era to the

Present. Cambridge UP.

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~yaleart/objects/panathenaic-

amphora-2/

Panathenaic Amphora

ca 480 BCE.

Inscription: TON

ATHENETHEN

ATHLON

(from the games at

Athens)

height 62.2 cm

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~yaleart/objects/panathenaic-amphora-2/http://www.dartmouth.edu/~yaleart/objects/panathenaic-amphora-2/http://www.dartmouth.edu/~yaleart/objects/panathenaic-amphora-2/http://www.dartmouth.edu/~yaleart/objects/panathenaic-amphora-2/http://www.dartmouth.edu/~yaleart/objects/panathenaic-amphora-2/

Panathenaic Amphora.

ca.520 BCE.

http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search

-the-collections/254862

The mysteries of Demeter and

Persephone at Eleusis

Fragments of a Roman copy set in a

plaster cast of the original Greek marble

relief, ca. 450–425 BCE

Image source: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-

art/14.130.9

The Mysteries of Demeter and Persephone was one of the most important of the religious cults of ancient Greece. It was a source of peace and consolation for initiates; according to the Homeric Hymn to Demeter:

Blessed is the mortal on earth who has seen these rites,

but the uninitiated who has no share in them never

has the same lot once dead in the dreary darkness. HHD 480-82

From perhaps as early as Mycenaean times until about 400 CE, countless Greeks

and foreigners, men and women, slaves, even Roman emperors converged annually

on Athens and Eleusis to take part in the sacred rites. The Mysteries were uniquely

egalitarian; open to anyone who spoke Greek and had not committed murder. The

Roman Cicero said that Athens had given to mankind "nothing finer” and that initiates

into the mysteries “acquire not only a way of living in happiness but also a way of

dying with greater hope" (De legibus, 2.36).

In 405 BCE Aristophanes brings a chorus of initiates onstage in his comedy Frogs:

Come, let us go to the flower-strewn meadows. 439ff.

Let us pick armfuls of roses.

Let us dance our beautiful dance,

…

For us, only for us, the sun shines,

never setting with its sweet light;

for us, who extend a welcome to you all,

brothers and strangers

Seated on a stool covered by a fleece,

the goddess drew the veil before her face.

For a long time she sat voiceless with grief on the stool

And responded to no-one with word or gesture.

Unsmiling, tasting neither food nor drink…

She then bid them mix barley

and water with soft mint [pennyroyal] and give her to drink.

Metaneira made and gave the drink to the goddess as she bid.

Almighty Deo received it for the sake of the rite. HHD 192-211

Torre Nova Sarcophagus

3rd CE Rome

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carolemage/8191841684/sizes/o/in/phot

ostream/

creative commons some rights reserved.

Telesterion at Eleusis

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carolemage/8191841684/sizes/o/in/photostream/http://www.flickr.com/photos/carolemage/8191841684/sizes/o/in/photostream/