festivals

• The Greeks and Romans had roughly 140 holiday days in the year
• Great Panathenaia in Greece:

  • Athena's birthday festival with more athletics and literacy competitions than the previous Panathenaia
  • All Athenians could participate
  • Theseus believed to have founded it
  • Programme of events:
  • Day 1: rhapsodic + musical contests
  • Day 2: boys and youths athletics
  • Day 3: men's athletics
  • Day 4: equestrian events
  • Day 5: tribal contests
  • Day 6: all night celebration, procession + sacrifice
  • Day 7: apobates and boat race
  • Day 8: prize-giving
• Day 1 of Panathenaia:

  • Rhapsode recites epic poetry
  • 4 categories of music: aulos, kithara, solosand, accompanists
• Day 2-4, 7 of Panathenaia:

  • Sporting events open to all Athenians
  • Winners received a 'Panathenaic Amphora' filled with olive oil
  • Apobate race: chariot race with warrior jumping off and on
  • Wrestling allowed no kicking, pankration allowed kicking
• Day 5 of Panathenaia:

  • Included strength trials, boat race of Piraeus, war dance competition, torch race
• Day 6 of Panathenaia:

  • All night celebration, procession + sacrifice
  • Torch race, singing, dancing in honour of Athena
  • Peplos: greek dress woven with saffron and purple cloth, worn by statue of Athena
  • Sacrifice at altar of Athena Polias with up to 100 oxen
• City Dionysia in Greece:

  • Founded in 6BC, associated with rebirth
  • Wooden statue of Dionysus sent as gift from Eleutherae
  • Eponymous Archon had administrative roles
  • Choregos was chorus backer and financial backer of plays
  • Dithyramb competition was inclusive with 1000 amateur chorus members
• Day 1 of City Dionysia:

  • Pompe, dithyrambic contests, komos
  • Wooden statue of Dionysus transferred to Sanctuary
  • Offerings included animals, fruits, breads, model phalluses
  • Dithyramb contest in theatre
• Day 2 of City Dionysia:

  • Opening ceremony, 5 comedies
  • Piglet sacrifice in honour of Dionysus
  • Theatre contest with themes of war, politics, or social life
• Day 3-4 of City Dionysia:

  • 3 tragedies, 1 satyr-play
  • Tragedies explored human suffering and nature
  • Satyr-play provided comedic relief
• Day 5 of City Dionysia:

  • 3 tragedies, 1 satyr-play; judging + prize-giving
  • Judges voted for winning play with a garland of ivy as prize
• The Lupercalia in Rome:

  • Held in honour of Lupercus and Romulus on 15th Feb
  • Luperci priests performed sacrifices and raced around Palatine Hill
• The Saturnalia in Rome:

  • Held in honour of Saturn, celebrated end of Winter sowing
  • Involved all levels of society
  • Originally 6 days, then 3, later extended to 5 days
  • Public feast, private feasts, gift giving
  • Slaves and masters seen as equals during the festival