For the Greeks religion was a central part of their lives and society. This is shown by their busy religious calendar filled with sacrifices and festivals. As the Greeks did not have weekends, they placed numerous holiday days in each month in which they were able to watch the games and take part in religious festivals. I would like to focus on one festival, the Panathenaia.
The Panathenaia was an annual festival held in honour of Athens’ patron goddess Athena. It took place at the end of July (when the goddess’ birthday was thought to have been) and was the most important Athenian festival. Every four years the Panathenaia became even bigger and lasted for 8 days this was known as the ‘Great Panathenaia’. There was various sporting, religious, tribal and musical events that took place during these 8 days.
The rhapsodic contest is believed to have taken place on the first day in which rhapsodes would’ve had to recite verses from Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. In the musical contests the aulos (a flute-like instrument) was played as well as the kithara (a harp-like instrument). The sporting events consisted of stadion (a running event), boxing, wrestling, pentathlon and equestrian events. The winners of these events could win large jars of olive oil (Panathenaic amphorae) which were very valuable in Ancient Greece. The tribal contests were only for Athenian citizens unlike the other contests which were open to all Greeks. These contests were between the ten tribes of the city and included things like torch races and boat races.
After these contests there was an all–night celebration, a procession and a sacrifice. This procession is depicted on the Ionic frieze of the Parthenon. The peploi (Greek dresses) were presented to Athena on the same day as the procession. The peploi were woven for the Goddess in gold and blue. The smaller of the two was presented to the statue of Athena in the Erechtheion and the other to Athena Parthenos. The sacrifice comprised of the sacrifice of one hundred oxen and other animals to the Goddess. After the Goddess received her portion the rest of the meat was shared among the Athenians. The sacrifice took place at the altar of Athena Polias and only Athenians were allowed on the Acropolis to be a part of the sacrifice.
The Panathenaia was the most important Athenian festival because it celebrated Athena but also because it displayed Athens' wealth in the form of the abundance of animals and showed off the talents of the Athenian people. The Athenians also very much enjoyed the aspect of communal worship and honouring their patron Goddess.
