Anthesteria
A three-day Athenian festival of Dionysus marking the opening of new wine, during which the dead were believed to walk among the living.
The Meaning of Anthesteria
The Anthesteria was held in late February, the month Anthesterion, sacred to Dionysus. On the first day, Pithoigia (jar opening), the new wine from the previous autumn's vintage was opened and offered to Dionysus. On the second day, Choes (jugs), citizens competed in drinking contests, and even small children received their first taste of wine — miniature jugs given as gifts have been found in infant graves. This day was considered unlucky: the dead returned to walk among the living, and temples were closed except Dionysus's. Rope barriers of buckthorn were hung on doors to ward off ghosts. On the third day, Chytroi (pots), offerings of cooked grains were made to Hermes Psychopompos to guide the dead back to the Underworld. The festival ended with the cry "Out, Keres! The Anthesteria is over!" — banishing death spirits until next year.
Parents
Dionysus
Symbols
Fun Fact
The word "anthology" comes from the Greek anthologia — "a gathering of flowers" — linked to the Anthesteria's floral celebrations. The festival's drinking contest, where participants raced to drain their jugs in silence, is the direct ancestor of every drinking game in college history. The miniature wine jugs given to toddlers at the Anthesteria make it clear the Greeks had very different views on age-appropriate beverages.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
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