festivals Flashcards
whow as the great Panathenaia for?
all athenians and resident foreigners
who created the Panathenaia?
Theseus in order to hnour Athena.
when was the great Panathenaia created?
566 BC
how often did the great Panathenaia take place?
once every 4 years
how long was the great Panathenaia?
8 days
what happened on day 1 of the Great Panathenaia?
Rhapsodic and Musical contests
what did the rhapsodic and musical contests in the Great Panathenaia include?
verse were recited form the Illiad and Odyssey
there were 4 main other contests revolving arond the Aulos and Kithara:
1. singers accompanied by Aulos
2. singers accompanied by Kithara
3. soloists on Aulos
4. soloists on Kithara
what is a kithara?
harp like instrument
what is an aulos?
and oboe like instrument
what happened on day 2 of the Great Panathenaia?
Boys and Youth Athletics
what happened on day 3 of the Great Panathenaia?
Men’s Athletics
what happened on day 4 of the Great Panathenaia?
Equestrian events
what happened on day 2 and day 3 of the the Great Panathenaia?
contests including stadion (rinnign the length of a stadium), wrestling (where the men were covered in oil), boxing (with no head gear and only leather straps around the knuckles), pankrateon (boxing and wrestling), Penthalon (discus, javelin, long jump, stadion, wrestling)
what was the prize of winning the equestrian in the Great Panathenaia? what did it include?
included a 4-horse chariot rase, mounted javelin contest.
the prize was a panathenaic amphora (with Athena on one side)
what happened on day 5 of the Great Panathenaia?
tribal events
- made up of this ocntest only open to athenian citizens who competed in their 10 tribes
1. series of strength trials
2. boat race taking place in a near port by the town called Piraus
3. Dance competition accompanied by the Aulos
what happened on day 6 of the Great Panathenaia?
- it took place over the Acropolis
- there was a torch race which involves a 2 mile race from Dipylon gate to the Altar ont he Acropolic and they raced with a torch.
- singing and dancing
- all Athenians presented her with pelops (Greek dress woven using saffron purple cloth, including scenes form the great battle between gods and giants)
- procession began at DIpylon gate through the city to the Acropolis
- the procession ended at Athena Polias (between pantheon and erqchtheion)
- the sacrifice began at Athena polias - hetacomb and then feast
what happened to the winner’s torch after day 6 of the Great Panathenaia?
used to light the sacrificial flame the following day (glory and honour)
what is the pelops?
greek dress woven using saffrom and purple cloth including scenes from the great Batttle between Gods and Giants
what happened on day 7 of the Great Panathenaia? what did it include? who was the prize given to?
the boat race and the Apobates. this is where a fully armoured racer had to dismount and remount the chariot. the prize went ot the owner of thr horse
what happened on day 8
the prize giving
when was the city of Dionysia founded ?
in 6rth century BC - a date which coincides with the alliance between Eleutherae and Athens
where is Eleutherae?
the northern borser of Attica
how was an allinace formes between. the Eleutheraens and Athenians?
a statue from Eleutherae came but was then rejected byt Athenians. The city was hit with a plague affecting men’s gentials and the Athenians linked the events. They then accepted DIonysus into the city and honoured him and the men were cured
how was dionysus worshipped? when? where?
through theatre. dionysus was associated with rebirth, so the festival took place in spring over 5 days in Mid-March.
the festival started in Athens (at the gates), but the majority of the festival was based int he sanctary of Dionysus (on the south side fo the acropolis and had an altar and short wall, there was also a temple that was small and in the NW corner)
where is the sanctuary of Dionysus?
on the south side fo the acropolis and had an altar and short wall, there was also a temple that was small and in the NW corner
what officials were infolved witht Dionysia? what did their role involve
the city was democratic and they had an epynomous archon who was an elected official who had various administrative responsibilities over the year eg., they woudl select 3 tragic playwrites and 5 comic playwrites to participate in the play. they woudl also choose choregos to finance the plays
who participated int he festival celebrating Dionysus?
professional playwrites (among which was fierce competition), however not exclusive to them
what are some examples of the activities that the wider communitiy of Dionysia coudl get involved in?
the Dithyramb which was the choral dance honouring Dionysia. 100 members from each tribe took part (1000 amateurs). these epople were drawn from the citizen body
what happened the night before the festival in the city of Dionysia?
a torch procession took place to recreate the events that took place in 6th cent BC when ELeutherae allied with Athens and wodden statue of Dionysus was brought into the city. The statue travelled from just outside the cuty into the city and was accompanied by military cadetts
what heppened on day 1 of the festival of the City Of Dionysia?
pompe, dithyrambic contests, komos
what was the pompe of the festival of the City Of Dionysia?
grand procession that took place accompanied by the statue of Dionysus in a boat on wheels from the city gates to the sanctuary of Dionysus. it was carnival-like with drinking, dancing, revelry
what woudl people in the pompe of the festival of the City Of Dionysia?
they would bringh sacrificial objects and phalluses in reconition with Dionysus’ relationship with fertility
what did the dithyramb competition involve?
- took place in a theatre
involved a choral song and dance written to honour Dionysus
what did the komos involve?
- only men took part and a central symbol was the Phallus
- it took place in the evening and participants woudl rbing leather phallus to present to Gods (Dionysus as God of fertility). involved singing, dancing, drinking
what happened on Day 2 of the festival of the City Of Dionysia
there were the opening ceremonies and the 5 comedies
what happened in the opening ceremonies of the festival of the City Of Dionysia?
priest of Dionysus would sacrifice a piglet
- 10 generals of Athens poured a libation to 12 Olympian Gods
- there were thratrical contests which cosrted 2 Obols ( a day’s wage for an unskilled worker) and the Athenians set up the Theoric Fund to help the poor attend
what was special about comedies?
develped later than tragedies and perhaps reflected the political freedom of 5th century Athens - themes of cpomedy, war, reversed roles e.g., slaves and bosses, politics
what happened on day 3 and day 4 of the festival of the City Of Dionysia?
3 tragedies and 1 Satyr play
what happened on day 5 of the festival of the City Of Dionysia?
the 3 tragedies and 1 satyr play anfd the judging and prize givign
what did the tragedies of the festival of the City Of Dionysia involve?
they were perfomed in a trilogy so each day was devoted to 3 playwrites (showing emphasis on tragedy over comedy)
the tragedy was usually inspired by well known mythic and historical events of the past - focused on human suffering and explore human nature
what did the satyr plays of the festival of the City Of Dionysia involve?
written by 1 play write. it had mythological themes and was unrelated to the tragedies played prior. it was supposed to be a comedic respite after the 3 tragedies
how were things judged in the festival of the City Of Dionysia?
each judge wrote the plays in orfer of preference and olaced in. alist in a single urn. the epynomous archon then drew 5 of the 10 lists. The playwrite with the most votes was declares victor and was given a garland of ivy ( a symbol of Dionysus)
what was Lupercalia about?
a festival origianally derived from the purification and fertility to honour the god Lupercus (‘Lupus means wolf in Latin) so the festival also honured Rome’s founder Romulus (AKA king of SHeperds)
why is there debate about the origins of the festival Lupercalia?
Plutarch links the festival to the festival with Archadian Lycaea, the feast of the wolves.
Ovid links it to the festival with the God Pan.
when did Lupercalia take place?
15th February
what officials were involved with Lupercalia?
the preists were claled Luperci and were chosed especially for the day from the noble male population
what happened at the beginning of the festival Lupercalia?
the priests gathered in the Lupercal(the cave in Palatine hill of Rome where Lupercalia took place)
IT WAS BELIEVED TO BE THE PLACE WHERE ROMULUS AND REMUS WERE SUCKLED BY THE SHE-WOLF
the luperci then separated into 2 groups and underwnet a sacrifice in honour of the god
Afterwards the 2 teams took part in a race around the food of the Palatine hill
what did the sacrifice in Lupercalia involve?
on entering the cave the Luperci sacrificed dogs and goats as these animals were known for their virility ((in a man) the quality of having strength, energy, and a strong sex drive; manliness).
they had mola salsa and sprikled it onto their heads and then the animals bowed their heads and their thrats were slit.
once the animal was dead a knife was dipped in the bloos and it was dripped onto the forheads of participants which was then immediately wiped of with wool soaked in milk. Then the Luperci let out a laugh. then the haruspec woudl read the entrails, (if positive) and then they woudl feast
what was special about the sacrifice at Lupercalia?
once the animal was dead a knife was dipped in the bloos and it was dripped onto the forheads of participants which was then immediately wiped of with wool soaked in milk. Then the Luperci let out a laugh.
what was the animal skin in Lupercalia used for?
it was used to cover the body of people during the race (because the god is naked and so were his slaves - another wave of honoouring someone)
what did the race in Lupercalia involve?
it was the public part of the festival which took participants through the Roman Forum and around the foot of the Palatine.
the participants woudl whip spectators with their leather strips to grant great fertility to those who were struck (therefore many women would purposefully get in the way of the race)
what is the great panathenaia?
Athenian festivasl that took place every 4 years, containing more athletic and literacy competitions than the anual panathenaia (they have the big peplos which is taken to the parthenon aswell as a potential little peplos)
what is the panathenaia?
an anual athenian festival celebrating Athena’s birthday (they have a little peplos taken to the erechteioin)
what is the Dipylon gate?
gateway to the north of the city; the starting point doe the procession of the great panatheinaia, from where it made its was to the acropolis
who accompanies a rhapsode?
a kithara or aulos
what is the significance of the Athena Polias?
sltar between the Parthenon and the ACROPOLIS WHERE THE SACRIFICE TO ATHENA (HETACOMB) was made
what is the apobates/
‘dismounter’ chariot race where a fully armoured charioteer would lead of the chariot, run along side it, and then leap back on
what is the peplos?
a huge dress woven by noble maidens from saffron and purple cloth, embroidered with images of the battles between gods and gints; the larger version was used as a sail for a ceremonial boat and presented to the statue of Athena Parthenos, the smaller to the wooden statue of Athena in the Erechteion
what were the tribal contests in the great Panathenaia?
includes the euandria (strength and beauty), pyrrhic war dance (in full armour) and the aulos (prize- 100 drachmas and a bull)
what was the prize fro winning the equestrian events at the great Panathenaia? (e.g., the winnder of the chariot race)
140 amphorae - panathenaiac amphora full of olive oil (holds about 38 litres).
one side of the amphora had an image of Athena with the incription ‘ from the games at Athena’ and on the other side was an image of the relevant event
what did the winner of the rhapsodic events?
the victorious singer to the kithara won a golden crown worth 1000 drachmas (1 drachma was a days wage for a skilled worker)
what is the name of the all night procession in thr great panathenia? what did it include?
pannychis.
included hymns and sacrifices
what happened during the pompe procession?
the procession began at dipylon gatye and travelled through the city on the panathenaic way and ended at the foot of the acropolis. The larger of the 2 pelpoi was used as a sail for the ceremonial boat that was pushed up to the acropolis before it was removed and taken into the Acropolis. The procession ended at the altar to athena Polias that was situated between the Parthenon and the Erehteion.
where was the Panathenaic procession depicted?
Ont he ionic frieze of the Pathenon. The procession starts on the western (rear) part of the temple with men moundin and riding their horses (they are cavalry men) and the procession then follows two routes - north and south
what happened after the procession in the great panathenaia?
the sacrifice. it began at the altar of Athena Polias and only Athenians were allowed on the acropolis so a real sense of belonging could be felt.
hetacomb
what happened the night before the festival?
the torchlight procession, to recreate the origins of the festival, bringing the statue form a shrine just outside the city, accompanied by military cadets
what happened the morning of the city Dionysia?
the pompe, meaning grand procession, accompanied by the statue in a boat on wheels to the sanctuary.
It was like a carnival, with drinking, revelry, and participants woudl carry sacrificial objects such as animals, fruit, and breads, but also model phalluses (associated with fertility and recreation)
who woulf finance the play?
a choregos
how often did the great dionysia take place?
every year (fun fact: prisoners woudl be given a day release to watch it!)
what was the great dionysia in comparison to the gp?
it was far less organised and Dionysus encouraged wild abandon
what does protagonistes mean?
leading actor
what is a proagon?
an official theatrical presentation which took place a few days before the City Dionysia began
where did the proagon take place? give more information about it
it took place in the odeion (concert hall). It was basically an advert written by playwrites who must act without masks
what happened the day before hte main procession in the great dionysia?
the eisagoge (bringing in torch procession) in eve which reenacts Dionys’ statue arrival from Eleutherae escorted to theatre of D by ephebes (cadets) on wooden ship wheels. NOTE THIS IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION
what was the theoric fund?
a supply of money that was use to pay for the poor to attend the theatre in ancient Athens.
It was set up in the late 5th century.
This was needed because it costs 2 obols to attent somethign
what was the parade tribute? (when was it) -grat dionysica
is showed of the silver paid by for allies of the DELIAN LEAGUE
(day 2)
what was the parade of honours in the city of Dionysia
it was when the prixe of a crown was given, signifying outstanding service
supposedly on day 2
what did the race in Lupercalia involve?
it was the public part of the festival which took participants through the Roman Forum and around the foot of the Palatine.
the participants woudl whip spectators with their leather strips to grant great fertility to those who were struck (therefore many women would purposefully get in the way of the race)
how was Lupercalia connected to Romulus?
‘Lupus’ means wolf in Latin and Romulus was found in the Lupercal (where the sacrifice took place)
He was aka the King of Sheperds
how were the luperci chosed?
from the Nobel population e.g., Mark Anthony in 44BC - he used the occasion to stir up popular support
what were the aims of lupercalia?
to purify the city and promote fertility
whhere was the Lupercal
it was the cave in Palatine hill of Rome where Lupercalia took place.
Why were dogs and Goats sacrificed by the Luperci?
for their verility
why were animals skinned after tthe feast?
it was used to cover the body during the race (whipping)
who raced arouhnd the palatine and why were they naked?
the Luperci were imitating the god Lupercus. Fertility
wwho absolutely wasn’t allowed to participate in the lupercalia?
children
what is februa?
strips of goat hide used by the Luperci
how were luperci choese?
they were chosen from the noble male population
why might Lupercalia have been important to women?
it reassured them with issues concerning childbirth and pregnancy
who was Saturn
the ~roman version of Cronos (father of Zeus)
what did Saturnalia celebrate?
- as saturn was the Roman god of dowing and the seed, the festival celebrated the end of the winter sowing
- the festival began at the winter Solstice and celebated the coming of new light, rebirth, and promise of a positive future
- saturn was believed ot have ruled the earth during the golden age, in a time when both mena nd gods lived together in prosperity as equals. The festival brought hope of a golden age. The saturnalia was considered unique among festivals because all levels of society took part, including men, women, children, and slaves
from when to when was the festival? (at its longest) - S
17th - 23rd December
Why was the Saturnalia shortened and when?
it was shortened under the reign of Augustus (28BC and 14AD) to 3 days and then extended to 5.
How popular was Saturnalia?
very popular - even encoporated in Chirstmas today
was the Saturnalia well documented?
no
what was dedicated during the Saturnalia?
The temple of Saturn in the roman forum
how were religious officials selected?
they were selected for a year. Therefore, this was an actual option for many leading romans
who did the responsibility of the public feast fall on?
the senate, who used state money to pay for it
what do we know about the programme of the Sturnalia?
little as there is little information about it. IT was the most important and popular festival.
the sacrifice definitely took place on the first day
All business was suspended from the first day and it was declaered a national holifay. This meant that the whole city could take part in it
what was so unique about the Saturnalia?
everyone, men women and children could take part
what was one thing you could do , that you woudl definitely not be able to do otherwise in Saturnalia?
gamble
what was special about the sacrifice in the Saturnalia?
it was in a Greek style e.g., the priest that took part in it would have his head uncovered. There is no doubt this. alluded to the relationship betwqeen saturn and Cronus, the Greek father of Zeus
what was something special the feast woudl involve?
the statue of Saturn that would sit at the banquet table to signify the god’s presence at the festival
explain the private aspect of the Saturnalia
there was a private feast. It promoted equality, meaning slaves and masters were equal for the duration.
TO support this, masters woudl remove their togas and they woulf all wear a party dress. Additionally, men woudl wear the small felt cap called a Pileus as a system of freedom
what is a Pileus?
a felt cap
what did they do in Saturnalia in the private feast? (something new and fun)
gift giving e.g., wax candles, doll like clay figures (to children), dice, combs, etc
+ sigilia (figurines made from pottery)
what is Saturn the god of?
sowing the seed
what was the ‘golden age’?
a time when both men and gods lived together in properity as equals
