How long did Thesmophoria last?
The Thesmophoria was a three-day festival celebrated by the female cult of Demeter and her daughter Persephone, also known as Kore.
What is the Thesmophoria and why is it significant?
The Thesmophoria was an annual women's festival widely celebrated in ancient Greece. In most areas it took place in autumn, at the season of plowing and sowing, and it was held in honor of the grain goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone. Fertility of crops and of women was evidently the essential theme.
Why is Thesmophoria celebrated?
Thesmophoria was celebrated in late autumn to honor Persephone and Demeter, that they might bless the fertility of the land and ensure the bounty of the yearly harvest. Unlike most festivals, or most of anything really, Thesmophoria was celebrated only by women.
Where does Demeter's festival held?
AthensA festival to Demeter, as the foundress of agriculture and of the civic rite of marriage, celebrated in many parts of Greece, but especially at Athens. It was held at Athens from the 9th to 13th of Pyanepsion, the beginning of November, and only by married women of genuine Attic birth and of blameless reputation.
What happened during Thesmophoria?
The Thesmophoria commemorated the kidnap of Persephone by Hades, and her return to her mother Demeter. Hades and Persephone ride the chariot on the lower part of this vase which depicts the myth; Demeter is shown on the top right corner.
Who built the Trojan horse?
EpeiusTrojan horse, huge hollow wooden horse constructed by the Greeks to gain entrance into Troy during the Trojan War. The horse was built by Epeius, a master carpenter and pugilist.
What was mixed with the sacrificial pig before it was placed on the altar?
Outline of the festival The second day was called Nesteia, fasting. On this day, the women fasted and only ate pomegranate seeds. They mixed the rotten pig flesh with seeds, and this they placed on a big altar.
Who created Aphrodite?
Cronus castrated Uranus and threw his father's testicles into the sea. They caused the sea to foam and out of that white foam rose Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty.
When was the Panathenaia held?
The Panathenaic Games (Ancient Greek: Παναθήναια) were held every four years in Athens in Ancient Greece from 566 BC to the 3rd century AD.
Which festival is a spring festival?
Holi, a spring festival in India.
What were the festivals in ancient Greece?
Some of the most important festivals of ancient Greece involved athletic competition, such as the Olympic Games, which were held in honour of Zeus, and the Pythian Games, held at Delphi in honour of Apollo. One festival in Athens, held to honour Dionysos, involved a competition between playwrights.
What might Demeter's name mean?
Demeter. Goddess of the harvest, agriculture, fertility, and sacred law.
What does Thesmophorus mean literally?
Or, the name Thesmophoria is perhaps the primary one, from which the epithet of the goddess was derived; it means “the carrying of things laid down.” The celebrants were free women who seem to have been married.
What does the goddess Persephone represent?
The goddess Persephone is known for serving as Goddess of Spring, but she also operated in a variety of other important roles in Greek mythology. Like her mother, Demeter, Persephone was an agriculturally-based goddess who presided over grains and vegetation, leading her to be known as the Goddess of Vegetation.
When was the Panathenaia held?
The Panathenaic Games (Ancient Greek: Παναθήναια) were held every four years in Athens in Ancient Greece from 566 BC to the 3rd century AD.
What was the name of the festival in Athens in which piglets were thrown into underground pits?
A scholion to Lucian Dialogi Meretricii 2.1 suggests that the Thesmophoria, a widespread ancient Greek women's festival, was centred on a rite involving the deposition of piglets into pits (megara), and later recovering their remains.
What was celebrated at the Aiora?
Women celebrated the Thesmophoria in honour of Demeter and commemorated the passing of Adonis with laments and miniature gardens, while images were swung from trees at the Aiora. Magic was widespread. Spells were inscribed on lead tablets. Statues of Hecate, goddess of witchcraft, stood outside dwellings, while Pan’s…
What were the days of Pyanopsion?
The original days were Pyanopsion (October) 12–14 and were called respectively anodos (or kathodos ), nēsteia, and kalligeneia. At least a great part of the Thesmophoria was carried out by torchlight and was accompanied by ceremonial coarse abuse among the women, a common means of promoting fertility.
What does the name Thesmophoria mean?
Or, the name Thesmophoria is perhaps the primary one, from which the epithet of the goddess was derived; it means “the carrying of things laid down. ”. The celebrants were free women who seem to have been married. They observed chastity for several days and abstained from certain foods.
What was the underground chamber called that piglets were thrown into?
Possibly during the Stenia, a festival celebrated two days earlier, piglets were thrown into an underground chamber, called a megaron. They were left there until the parts of them not eaten by the guardian snakes had had time to rot. The remains were then brought up by women who had observed chastity for three days.
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Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. ...
Who is Demeter in Greek mythology?
Demeter. Demeter, in Greek religion, daughter of the deities Cronus and Rhea, sister and consort of Zeus (the king of the gods), and goddess of agriculture. Her name indicates that she is a mother. Demeter is rarely mentioned by Homer, nor is she included among the Olympian gods, but the roots of her legend….
What was the festival called before the Thesmophoria?
Before the Thesmophoria festival itself, there was a preparatory night-time festival called the Stenia. At the Stenia women engaged in Aiskhrologia, insulting each other and using foul language. This may have commemorated Iambe's successful attempts to make the grieving mother Demeter laugh.
What was the third day of the Thesmophoria?
The third day of the Thesmophoria was the Kalligeneia 'Fair Offspring'. Commemorating Demeter's torch-light search for her daughter, Persephone, there was a night-time torch-lit ceremony.
What was the fertility component of the Thesmophoria?
During the Stenia prelude to the Thesmophoria or, at any rate, sometime before the actual festival, it is believed that certain women ( Antletriai 'Bailers') placed fertility objects, phallic-shaped bread, pine cones and sacrificed piglets, in a possibly snake-filled chamber called a megaron.
What month is Thesmophoria?
The festival, Thesmophoria, was held during a month known as Pyanopsion ( Puanepsion ), in the lunisolar calendar of the Athenians. Since our calendar is solar, the month doesn't exactly match, but Pyanopsion would be, more or less, October into November, the same months as the Canadian and U.S. Thanksgivings.
Why did Demeter refuse to eat?
Demeter refused to eat or feed the world until the other gods arranged a satisfactory resolution to her conflict with Hades over Persephone. After her reunion with her daughter, Demeter gave the gift of agriculture to mankind so we could plant for ourselves.
Why did Iambe sit on the stool without speaking?
A long time she sat upon the stool without speaking because of her sorrow, and greeted no one by word or by sign , but rested, never smiling, and tasting neither food nor drink, because she pined with longing for her deep-bosomed daughter, until careful Iambe—who pleased her moods in aftertime also—moved the holy lady with many a quip and jest to smile and laugh and cheer her heart.
Why did the matrons take a break from their home?
On the 11-13 of Pyanopsion, at a festival that included role reversals, like women electing female officials to preside over state-sponsored feasts [Burton], Greek matrons took a break from their usually homebound lives to participate in the autumn sowing ( Sporetos) festival of Thesmophoria. Although most of the practices remain a mystery, we know that the holiday was a bit more involved than our modern versions and that no men were allowed to participate. The matrons probably symbolically relived the anguish Demeter suffered when her daughter Persephone was abducted by Hades. They also probably asked for her help in obtaining a bountiful harvest.
What was the end of Demeter's mourning?from hellenion.org
The end of Demeter’s grieving on this occasion occurred when a servant of her host, “careful Iambe—who pleased her moods in aftertime also—moved the holy lady with many a quip and jest to smile and laugh and cheer her heart” (Homeric Hymn 2, lines 201-204). In a similar way, the women ended their mourning in the Thesmophoria with aischrologia, derisive language, in imitation of Iambe. The day of fasting and mourning was followed by a day of celebrating and praying for “fair offspring”, whether of children or crops, since Demeter presides over not only the cereal crops but also human fertility (Parke 87).
How long did the Thesmophoria last?from britannica.com
They observed chastity for several days and abstained from certain foods. The festival lasted three days, although in Attica it was lengthened to five. The original days were Pyanopsion (October) 12–14 and were called respectively anodos (or kathodos ), nēsteia, and kalligeneia. At least a great part of the Thesmophoria was carried out by torchlight and was accompanied by ceremonial coarse abuse among the women, a common means of promoting fertility.
What were the sacrifices made during the Thesmophoria?from en.wikipedia.org
According to the scholiast on Lucian, during the Thesmophoria pigs were sacrificed, and their remains were put into pits called megara. An inscription from Delos shows that part of the cost of the Thesmophoria there went towards paying for a ritual butcher to perform the sacrifices for the festival; literary evidence suggests that in other places, however, the sacrifices may have been made by the women themselves. Some time later, the rotten remains of these sacrifices were retrieved from the pits by "bailers" – women who were required to spend three days in a state of ritual purity before descending into the megara. These were placed on altars to Persephone and Demeter, along with cakes baked in the shape of snakes and phalluses. These remains were then scattered on fields when seeds were sown, in the belief that this would ensure a good harvest. According to Walter Burkert, this practice was "the clearest example in Greek religion of agrarian magic".
What was the second day of the Thesmophoria?from thoughtco.com
The second day of the Thesmophoria was the Nesteia 'Fast' when women fasted and mocked each other, again using the foul language that may have been a deliberate imitation of Iambe and Demeter. They may also have whipped each other with bark scourges.
What was celebrated at the Aiora?from britannica.com
Women celebrated the Thesmophoria in honour of Demeter and commemorated the passing of Adonis with laments and miniature gardens, while images were swung from trees at the Aiora. Magic was widespread. Spells were inscribed on lead tablets. Statues of Hecate, goddess of witchcraft, stood outside dwellings, while Pan’s…
What is the Greek goddess of the goddess Thesmophoria?from britannica.com
Thesmophoria, in Greek religion, ancient festival held in honour of Demeter Thesmophoros and celebrated by women in many parts of the Greek world.
What did the bailers purify?from thoughtco.com
The bailers ritually purified, descended to the megaron to remove the decayed matter thrown down earlier (either a couple of days or up to 4 months): pigs, pine cones, and dough that had been formed in the shape of men's genitals.
What was the end of Demeter's mourning?
The end of Demeter’s grieving on this occasion occurred when a servant of her host, “careful Iambe—who pleased her moods in aftertime also—moved the holy lady with many a quip and jest to smile and laugh and cheer her heart” (Homeric Hymn 2, lines 201-204). In a similar way, the women ended their mourning in the Thesmophoria with aischrologia, derisive language, in imitation of Iambe. The day of fasting and mourning was followed by a day of celebrating and praying for “fair offspring”, whether of children or crops, since Demeter presides over not only the cereal crops but also human fertility (Parke 87).
What was the Thesmophoria?
( 11-13 Pyanepsion) The Thesmophoria was a pan-Hellenic festival that, in Athens, lasted three days during the time of the fall planting and included an important women-only component. Although scholars debate what the thesmoi were that were borne, the women-led part of the festival involved the procession of all the women of Athens ...
What is the day of fasting and mourning?
The day of fasting and mourning was followed by a day of celebrating and praying for “fair offspring”, whether of children or crops, since Demeter presides over not only the cereal crops but also human fertility (Parke 87).
What does the hymn say about pomegranate seed?
Of these, the Hymn tells us, Hades “secretly gave [Persephone] sweet pomegranate seed to eat, taking care for himself that she might not remain continually with grave, dark-robed Demeter” (Homeric Hymn 2, lines 372-374). The women also fasted while sitting on the ground on branches.
Why did the woman sit on the stool without speaking?
A long time she sat upon the stool without speaking because of her sorrow, and greeted no one by word or by sign, but rested, never smiling, and tasting neither food nor drink, because she pined for her deep-bosomed daughter” (Homeric Hymn 2, lines 197-201).
Did Demeter fast?
The women also fasted while sitting on the ground on branches. Foley says that they “imitated ‘the ancient way of life’ before the discovery of civilization, and mourned, probably in imitation of Demeter, for Persephone” (72). Demeter had left the realm of the immortals and found her way to the world of mortals, who are familiar with the sorrow of losing loved ones to Hades, and “sat down and held her veil in her hands before her face. A long time she sat upon the stool without speaking because of her sorrow, and greeted no one by word or by sign, but rested, never smiling, and tasting neither food nor drink, because she pined for her deep-bosomed daughter” (Homeric Hymn 2, lines 197-201).
How does Mnesilochus contact Euripides?
As ingenious as it might have initially seemed, Mnesilochus’ attempt to contact Euripides by enacting a maneuver from one of his plays proves unsuccessful. However, this doesn’t discourage him from employing a similar tactic: he now starts reciting lines from the part of Helen in Euripides’ same-titled play, performed just a year before at the same festival as Women at the Thesmophoria. Amazingly (just as in Helen ), Euripides (disguised as Menelaus) appears at the very same place that Mnesilochus/Helen is held captive. One problem solved, but the other one is far more difficult: how to carry Mnesilochus away from the temple of Demeter. This problem becomes even more complicated as the magistrate to whom Cleisthenes has reported Mnesilochus arrives. He chases Euripides/ Menelaus away and imprisons Mnesilochus. At his orders, a Scythian policeman binds Euripides’ relative to a plank with the intent of making him a ridiculous spectacle to the world in his feminine attire.
What is the women at the Thesmophoria?
First performed in 411 BC (probably) at the City Dionysia, Women at the Thesmophoria (also known under its Latin title Thesmophoriazusae) is considered Aristophanes’ wittiest parody of life in 5th-century Ath ens. Thesmophoria was a three-day festival held in honor of the goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone, restricted only to adult women. In Aristophanes’ play – incensed by their unfavorable portrayal in Euripides’ tragedies – the Athenian women use this festival as an opportunity to devise a revenge plan against the tragedian. Euripides, however, finds out about this and, with the help of his relative Mnesilochus, asks Agathon – a real-life tragic poet with overtly effeminate traits – to infiltrate the festival and plead his case. After Agathon refuses, the plan is slightly modified: it’s Mnesilochus who will now try to gain access to the Thesmophoria by posing as a woman. Consequently, he is singed, shaved, and dressed in women’s clothing. The third and final day of the festival begins and Mnesilochus is able to take part in the discussion concerning Euripides. To the women who blame Euripides for revealing too much of their daily lives to the world, he replies that they should be thankful to the tragedian because he has opted not to tell the whole, odious truth about them. The ensuing argument is interrupted by Cleisthenes, a notorious homosexual and the only man allowed to attend women’s gatherings. He reveals to the women that their meeting might have been infiltrated by a male relative of Euripides. Mnesilochus is consequently unmasked, proven to be male, and bounded to a plank by a Scythian officer. In an attempt to get him out of there, Euripides enters and leaves the scene several times, each time in a different disguise and each time parodying his own plays with the help of his cousin. Because this bears no result, the tragedian finally decides to appear as himself and makes a deal with the women: if they release his relative, he says, he will refrain from abusing Athenian women in the future. The women agree and allow Euripides to free Mnesilochus which he succeeds after disguising himself once more, this time as an old lady.
How many women are in the play Women at the Thesmophoria?
Moreover, “Euripides had also acquired the reputation of being fond of portraying wicked women”: in his 17 surviving tragedies, there are 7 women who, within the action of the play, commit, attempt, or plot murder ( Medea, Phaedra, Hermione, Hecuba, Electra, Creusa and Agave). It’s interesting to note that almost all of Euripides’ plays parodied in Women at the Thesmophoria were quite recent in 411 BC: Helen was performed just a year before, as was Andromeda, and Palamedes was probably first performed in 415 BC. First produced thirty-seven years before Women at the Thesmophoria, Telephus is the only exception, but it was clearly a tragedy that stuck both in Aristophanes’ and the audience’s memory, for the comedian parodied it in The Acharnians as well.
Why was Thesmophoria celebrated?
Thesmophoria was a three-day festival held in honor of the goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone, restricted only to adult women. In Aristophanes’ play – incensed by their unfavorable portrayal in Euripides’ tragedies – the Athenian women use this festival as an opportunity to devise a revenge plan against the tragedian.
What does Agathon say about the old man?
Agathon reads praise beneath the criticism: “Old man, old man,” he says, “I hear the shafts of jealousy whistling by my ears, but they do not hit me. My dress is in harmony with my thoughts. A poet must adopt the nature of his characters. Thus, if he is placing women on the stage, he must contract all their habits in his own person… If the heroes are men, everything in him will be manly. What we don't possess by nature, we must acquire by imitation.”
Why is the Birds and Frogs not so famous?
The reason why it is not as famous as Lysistrata, The Birds or The Frogs is twofold: 1) “because literary parody is less appealing than out-and-out political satire” and 2) because all but one of Euripides’ plays parodied by Aristophanes are now lost.
When was the Thesmophoria first performed?
Women at the Thesmophoria (or, better yet, Women Celebrating the Thesmophoria) was first performed in 411 BC , probably at the City Dionysia. The play has reached us without an “introduction” (hypothesis), but scholars have successfully deduced the date and the place by comparing an internal cue with the available external evidence.
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Homowo
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