lesson 6,7,8- The Panathenai festival

Question 1

who did the festival honour?

Answer 1

The goddess Athene, who was the patron goddess of Athens

Question 2

what time of year was the festival celebrated?

Answer 2

During late July or August

Question 3

what was the focus of the festival?

Answer 3

The dedication of a robe, also known as a peplos

Question 4

who was the peplos crafted by?

Answer 4

A group of Athenian women and young girls who likely began their preparations 9 months in advance before the celebration of the Panathenia

Question 5

what did the peplos feature according to sources?

Answer 5

colours of blue, yellow and purple and featured an image of Athene’s victory over the giants (she is portrayed as fighting the giant Encelados)

Question 6

where did the procession of the panathenaia end?

Answer 6

At the acropolis, where those taking part would look up at the temple dedicated to Athena, the parthenon , in all it’s glory- the Erectheion more specifically, a temple dedicated to Athena polias (protector of the city)

Question 7

what is one image displayed in the parthenon that is significant to the panathenaia?

Answer 7

Am image (frieze) of a young boy and man, folding up a cloth, which is believed to be peplos dedicated Athene

Question 8

what was the route of the procession?

Answer 8

1. the procession first started off at the Dipylon gate on the outskirts of the city
2. The Athenians would then pass through Kerameikos, an area of the city which contained an ancient cemetery
3. The Athenians would then take the panathenaic way up to the acropolis (the panathenaic way was 10m wide to accommodate for large crowds and cavalry during the procession)

Question 9

what did the festival mark?

Answer 9

The supposed birthday of Athene polias

Question 10

according to historical sources where would the larger peplos be presented?

Answer 10

on a large, life size wooden boat- the peplos was used as a sail and was presented during the procession

Question 11

After the presentation of the peplos, how did the polis honour and celebrate Athena?

Answer 11

with sacrifices

Question 12

What did a civic decree of 335/4 record?

Answer 12

The cattle bought with rent from the land sacred to Athene were sacrificed on the great altar of Athena on the acropolis, and the best parts were kept for the sacrifice on the altar of Athena nike.

Question 13

Where did the sacrifices take place?

Answer 13

The great altar of Athena (the parthenon) on the acropolis and the altar of Athena nike.

Question 14

Who were given the portions of meat sacrificed on the Acropolis?

Answer 14

-Civic officials such as the archons
- the treasurer of the goddess
-sacrificial officials, generals
-Athenians who participated in the procession
-the maidens who carried the vessels.

Question 15

Where did the civic officials dine?

Answer 15

In special rooms inside the pompeion and perhaps also in the pinakothie, the room in the north wing of the propylaia.

Question 16

Where was the remaining meat divided up and who received it?

Answer 16

It was divided up in the kerameikos, an area on the outskirts of the city among the men of various demes, who participated in the procession and sacrifice.

Question 17

Who paid for these sacrifices?

Answer 17

They were either paid for directly by the city or by imposing liturgies (financial obligations) on rich Athenians and foreign residents.

Question 18

How did the distribution of the sacrificial meat reflect the democratic nature of Athens?

Answer 18

all citizens were entitled to a portion, all at public expense- even when meat was very expensive and wouldn’t be eaten regularly.

Question 19

Why would this be such a significant event for those involved?

Answer 19

honouring the goddess by sharing meat sacrificed to her was a way of uniting the people and a civic experience as communal eating brings people together in shared enjoyment.

Question 20

when did musical and rhapsodic contests take place?

Answer 20

Before the procession and sacrifices

Question 21

how long may the musical contests take place?

Answer 21

may have taken place for 1-3 days

Question 22

what did the musical contests entail?

Answer 22

sung recitations of Homer’s works, such as the Illiad and the Odyssey- this shows the influence of Homer in Ancient Greece

Question 23

what were the musical contests divided between?

Answer 23

Boys and young men and included a wide range of instruments such as the Lyre and aulos

Question 24

what were the prizes for the lyre musical contest in the 4th century?

Answer 24

a golden olive crown that was worth 1,000 drachmas- in a time when the daily wage for a worker was 1 drachma per day

Question 25

who were Athletic contests held for?

Answer 25

Men and young boys

Question 26

what did Athletic contests include?

Answer 26

running races, long jump, javelin, discus, stade race, and wrestling) as well as pankration- a combat event mixing boxing and wrestling

Question 27

what were the prizes for first and second place during the athletic contests?

Answer 27

olive oil which was presented in a panathenaic amphora- which had an image of the sport which the contestant had won on one side and an image of Athene striding on the other

Question 28

what happened during equestrian contests (chariot racing)

Answer 28

The chariot would be driven by a charioter whilst a hoplite soldier jumped off the moving chariot, and ran along side it before jumping back onto the moving chariot.

Question 29

what did tribal contests do?

Answer 29

encouraged a sense of tribal spirit and comradery as well as national pride and celebration

Question 30

what happened during tribal contests?

Answer 30

a phyrric dance, which was a military inspired event which involved groups of 24 men men dancing naked whilst holding a shield and and wearing a light helmet- It was thought that Athene did the Phyrric dance after her victory against the giants

Question 31

what was the final competition before the procession and sacrifices?

Answer 31

The torch race

Question 32

what happened during the torch race?

Answer 32

men ran from piraeus, the main harbour of the city up to the acropolis holding a burning torch, passing it onto the other members. The team of the first man to successfully light the altar on the acropolis won.

Question 33

when did the boat race take place?

Answer 33

after the sacrifices

Question 34

where did the boat race take place?

Answer 34

In the bay of piraeus

Question 35

who was the boat race in honour of?

Answer 35

Athena and poseidon- poseidon was the rival of Athene during the process of her becoming patron goddess

Question 36

what was the point of these contests?

Answer 36

to showcase the talents of Athens and to emphasise their power and strength due to the protection of their patron goddess, Athena. It was also to celebrate their literary talents, athletic strength and agility, their military and naval power and their democratic organisation

Question 37

when was an ordinary panathenai held in comparison to a great panathenai?

Answer 37

A ordinary Panathenai festival was held yearly in later July/August (the supposed birthday of Athena), whereas the Great Panathenai ( a longer and more elaborate version of the ordinary panathenai) was celebrated every 4 years

Question 38

where would the peplos be placed?

Answer 38

On the life size statue of Athena Polias featured on the Acropolis

Question 39

why were the ionic friezes on the parthenon depicting the panathenaia so significant?

Answer 39

this was the first time that a scene portraying a real-life event was depicted on a temple, showing the extent of its importance.

Question 40

what was the name of the young girls and women (maidens) that woven the peplos?

Answer 40

Ergastinai, maidens from aristocratic families