BIOL1008 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Thargelia, Athenian Festivals, Panathenaic Games
Document Summary
Festivals in athens served as a method to express the religion and spirituality held by the greeks. The festivals embodied the religious traditions through a methodology in which the society is involved with both the celebration and coordination of the events. These festivals became representation of the patriotic sentiments held by all athenians and were often an outwards sign of the greatness of athens, to citizens, metics, allies and visitors. The panathenaic festival, which historian buckley tells us was instituted by pisistratus during his 6th century reign as tyrant of athens, occurred in the first month of the lunar calendar, hecatombion, and held every four years. The word panathenaea literally means all athenian festival" and in fact everyone except for slaves was able to participate. It was athens most important festival and one of the grandest in all of greece. The event, which was held in honour of athena, athens" patron goddess, included a procession of citizens to the.
