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Greek Mythology - Ancient Greek Festivals
Anthesteria |
the name Anthesteria means "festival of flowers", and it was celebrated by drinking the season's new wine (giving it an an obvious connection to Dionysos)
Aphrodisia |
as the name of this festival suggests, it was dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite
Brauronia |
the Brauronia festival was dedicated to the cult of the goddess Artemis
Dionysia |
festivals held in honor of the god Dionysos; the ancient Greeks had both Rural Dionysia and City Dionysia
Eleusinian Mysteries |
the Eleusinian Mysteries are understood to be sacred events that were connected to the goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone (also known as Kore)
Olympieia |
celebrated in the Spring, this festival in honor of Zeus combined religious festivities with athletic events
Panathenaia |
held in honor of the goddess Athena's birthday, the Panathenaia festival was one of the most important in ancient Athens
Theogamia |
this event was held to celebrate of the "hieros gamos", or sacred wedding, of Zeus and Hera
Thesmophoria |
the Thesmophoria was a fertility festival associated with Demeter, in which the participants were exclusively women
You can learn much more about these ancient Greek festivals - and many others - from the following books:
Festivals of Attica | Erika Simon
Greek Religion | Walter Burkert
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Related Information - More Greek Mythology Names
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