Apaturia
Ionian festival of phratries where children were formally registered into kinship groups
The Meaning of Apaturia
The Apaturia was an annual three-day festival celebrated across the Ionian Greek world, most prominently at Athens, during the month of Pyanepsion (October-November). It was the festival of the phratries — the kinship groups that formed the social backbone of Athenian civic life. On the first day, Dorpia, phratry members feasted together. On the second day, Anarrhysis, sacrifices were offered to Zeus Phratrios and Athena Phratria. The third day, Koureotis, was the most significant: fathers presented their children for registration, boys received their first haircut, and newly married wives were introduced. This festival essentially determined citizenship through lineage.
Parents
None recorded
Symbols
Fun Fact
Failing to be registered at the Apaturia could mean losing your rights as an Athenian citizen entirely
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
Explore Further
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