Anthesteria

Overview

Anthesteria: Overview

In springtime, Anthesteria, a festival of Dionysus and a festival of the dead, is a 3 day celebration beginning with Pithogia, on the 11th day of the month Anthesterion, followed by Choës (the Feast of the Wine-jars) and ends on the 13th day of the month with Chytroi (the Day of the Pots). Anthesteria is called a festival of the dead because it was believed that the spirits left the underworld and returned on the third day.^(1) This entry focuses on the Festival of the Dead aspect of this festival while each individual entry focuses on other customs done during those days.

Pithoigia.

Pithogia was called “the opening of the casks” because it was during this day the large clay jars (pithoi) holding wine that were sealed months before were finally opened and sampled for the first time.^(2)

Carl Kereyni describes the spirits are the dipsioi (“thirsty ones”) who are thirsty for wine, attracted by the pithos opened on Pithoigia (the first day) and are accompanied by Hermes.^(3) From this point, the spirits are said to wander the earth.

Choes.

Choës a wine jar described as a type of pottery with “‘a generously curving belly, a short neck that merges into the body and a trefoil mouth” which the festival lifts its name from.^(4)

Several sources such as Burkert and Parke describe how this day is both a major celebratory festival and at the same time a solemn one. This festival marks a major milestone in every Athenian's life: birth, Choes, adolescence, and marriage.^(5),(6) Children are initiated into society with their first Choës and wine,^(7),(8) feasting and drinking competitions occur in the city,^(9) and a procession to the Temple of Dionysus ends with a Hieros Gamos (Sacred Marriage) between the “the King Archon’s wife (the Basilinna or Queen) and Dionysos.”^(10),(11)

Other Customs included chewing on hawthorn leaves to ward off “ghosts” and pitch would be added to their doors. All other temples are closed this day with only the Temple of Dionysus, Limnai (ἐν Λίμναις ) being open.^(12) because it was believed that “spirits must not be allowed free access to the holy places.”^(13)

### Chytroi. Anthesteria · Chytroi

The last day of Anthesteria, Chytroi, the dead are sent back to the underworld. During this day, a porridge made of grains and honey is boiled in Chytroi (pots) as an offering to the dead. No other gods are offered to this day except Hermes Chthonios, “the god who had led them up from the underworld, was supposed to lead them back again.”^(14) Athenians were also known to call out “Out, you Keres, it is no longer Anthesteria!” to help drive out the “spirit” who may still be dwelling in the city.^(13),(14)

Source(s) 1. 1. Jennifer Larson, Ancient Greek Cults, page 131, 2007 2. 2. Walter Burkert, Homo Necans, page 216-218, 1972 3. 3. Carl Kereyni, Dionysus Archetypal Image of Indestructible Life, pages 320-321, 1976 4. *4. Herbert Parke, Festivals of the Athenians, page 108, 1977 5. 5. Walter Burkert, Greek Religion, page 238, 1985 6. 6. Herbert Parke, Festivals of the Athenians, page 113, 1977 7. 7. Walter Burkert, Homo Necans, page 221, 1972 8. 8. Walter Burkert, Greek Religion, page 238-239, 1985 9. 9. Walter Burkert, Homo Necans, pages 219-220, 1972 10. 10. Jennifer Larson, Ancient Greek Cults, page 131, 2007 11. Herbert Parke, Festivals of the Athenians, page 112, 1977 12. 12. Walter Burkert, Homo Necans, pages 218-219, 1972 13. 13. Herbert William Parke, Festivals of the Athenians, page 146,1977 14. 14. Carl Kereyni, Dionysus Archetypal Image of Indestructible Life, pages 322-323, 1976 15. 1. Walter Burkert, Homo Necans, page 238, 1972 16. 2. Robert Parker, Polytheism and Society at Athens, page 294, 2005 17. 3. Herbert William Parke, Festivals of the Athenians, page 146,1977 18. 4. Carl Kereyni, Dionysus Archetypal Image of Indestructible Life, pages 322-323, 1976 19. 5. Walter Burkert, Homo Necans, page 240, 1972 20. 6. Walter Burkert, Greek Religion, pages 221-222, 1985 21. 7. Ellie Mackin Roberts, Underworld Gods in Ancient Greek Religion: Death and Reciprocity, page 54, 2020 22. 8. Walter Burkert, Greek Religion, page 241, 1985 23. 9. Walter Burkert, Homo Necans, pages page 242-243, 1972