Bouphonia
Ancient Athenian ox-murder ritual at the Dipoleia festival with a guilt-redistribution trial
The Meaning of Bouphonia
The Bouphonia — literally "ox-murder" — was an archaic ritual performed at the Dipoleia festival on the Acropolis in honour of Zeus Polieus. Barley and wheat cakes were placed on the altar of Zeus; when an ox approached and ate the offerings, a designated priest struck it dead with an axe, then immediately fled. What followed was extraordinary: a formal trial was held to determine guilt for the killing. The axe, the knife used to skin the animal, and even the ox itself were all called as defendants. Ultimately the blade was convicted and thrown into the sea. The ox was then stuffed with straw and yoked to a plough as if alive. This bizarre ritual preserved a deep Greek anxiety about the violence inherent in animal sacrifice.
Parents
None recorded
Symbols
Fun Fact
The murder weapon itself was put on trial and convicted in this uniquely Greek act of ritual guilt-shifting
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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