Anthesteria

Chapter 10

Γειά σου, readers! That means Hello in Greek (pronounced Yassou)!

I suppose you’re wondering why I’m talking in Greek. In that case, it’s because Anthesteria, the subject of this chapter, is an ancient Greek festival celebrated traditionally by the Athenians (a citizen or resident of Athens). The celebration was held around the Athenian month of Anthestēriōn (Ἀνθεστηριών), which loosely translates to around February or March in the Gregorian Calendar.

Anthesteria celebrates the coming of Spring and pays homage to the Hellenistic Greek god, Dionysus. It celebrates the maturing of the wine previously stored in the vintage before, being that Dionysus is primarily known as the god of wine.

Anthesteria, as a festival, is traditionally celebrated over three days. These three days are known as Pithoigia, Choës, and Chytroi.

Let’s learn a bit about them!

Pithoigia (Πιθοίγια):

The first day is known as Pithoigia, which translates to "The Jar-Opening." The first day is used to open the casket of wine and offer ceremonious drinks to Dionysus.

FUN FACT: a "pithos" (plural: pithoi) was a type of Greek vessel slash jar that was used to hold the wine. That’s where the "jar" part of Pithoigia comes from. The entire household would join in the festivities (even the slaves of the house), and celebrations would include decorations of spring flowers. How lovely!

Choës (Χοαί, Khoaí):

The second day translates to "The Pouring" or "Of the Cups [Jars [of wine]]." One interesting event that happened on this day is that the Queen of Athens, the wife of the King Archon [known as the Basilinna] would undergo a marriage ceremony to the god Dionysus to recreate the Greek myth of Ariadne being handed to Dionysus by Theseus. This ritual is generally known as hierogamy, and it took place because, during this time period, Athens was ruled by kings and their wives generally acted as priestesses to the gods. Other activities held on this day include popular drinking contests that again even slaves and children were able to participate in, and it was a time of merriment and celebration.

FUN FACT: During the first two days of Anthesteria, it was widely believed that the spirits of the dead would come up from the Underworld and walk freely. People chewed leaves of hawthorn/whitethorn or buckthorn and put tar on their doors to ward off evil.

Chytroi (Χύτροι, Khýtroi):

Chytroi, the final day, translates to "The Pots." On this day to end Anthesteria, people would offer pots of seed and/or bran to the souls of the dead to help them depart. They would also offer food to Hermes Chthonios, which refers to Hermes’ role in helping souls of the underworld travel.

Anthesteria was a very important Athenian festival and it was one of four that celebrated Dionysus in particular, although as you have seen, it also functions partly as a festival for the dead spirits called Keres.

So, I’ve been referencing Dionysus this whole time. Who exactly is he? Dionysus, also spelled Dionysos, is the Greco-Roman god of wine, madness (insanity), theatre, vegetation, pleasure, and loads more. He is the son of Zeus and Semele (daughter of Cadmus, King of Thebes) and is generally depicted travelling with satyrs (half-man, half-goat), silenus (half-man, half-beast), and nymphs. The cult of Dionysus is usually recognised by the symbols of tigers/leopards, ivy, bulls, or serpents among others. His Roman name and equivalent was Bacchus. His festivities were often bright, fun, and the source of lots of ecstasy, drink, and pleasure.

I sincerely hope you enjoyed learning about this wonderful festival and its patron god. Many Ancient Greek festivals are celebrated throughout the year and I for one always look forward to hearing more about them. I hope this instills the same in you, dear reader! Flip the page to find out even more.

Written by Sara Rowan.
Edited by Marietta Oizys.
Proofread by Daphne Clarke.