BY LAUREN HULETT

Holidays, Celebrations, and

Traditions
Three major examples
1. Great Dionysia
2.Panathenaia
3.The Olympic Games

Great Dionysia

Took place 10-17 Elaphebolion (March 10-17)
Held in Athens
Began by Pisistratus
Began in around 530 BC
It honored Dionysus
It had parades, sacrifices and offerings, and competitions
The first parade involved taking a carving of Dionysus to a temple
There were singing and theatric competitions
On the last day the winners were given a wreath of ivy

Panathenaia
Held in Athens in honor of Athenas birthday
23-30 Hekatombaion (July 23-30)
Athenas actual birthday was considered to be the 28
th

There were several parts to the celebration
a torch race, an all-night religious service, a parade, chariot races, and a meat meal for
everyone
The torch race was about 2 miles uphill
The sacrifice was lit with the torch of the winning runner
The parade could only be participated in by citizens of Athens
Women made a dress for the statue of Athena
Starting in 556 BC every 4 years would be the Great Panathenaia
In addition to the usual celebrations there would be athletic competitions
Later musical competitions were added too
Olive oil from a sacred tree of Athena along with other prizes were given to the winner of
competitions
The Great Panathenaia was widely considered the most important
celebration of Athens
The Olympic Games
The Olympics were started in Greece
began in 776 BC and continued until 393 A.D.
Emperor Theodosius said they must stop
They were later renewed and are continued today
Held every four years
They originally lasted one day
In 684 bc they were changed to 3 days
Became 5 days in 5
th
century BC
Originally held in honor of Zeus and Hera
Whenever the time for the Olympics came all city states had to temporarily stop their wars
Married women could not watch the game, but unmarried women can
In Ancient Greece only men who had never been slaves or done anything against the gods could
participate
Men had to train for 10 months
Mainly limited it to the rich because the poor couldnt afford to take off work, but any free man could participate
regardless of wealth or social status
The games were an athletic competition
Competitions included discus throwing, chariot races, jumping, boxing, wrestling, running, and more
A kotinos was put on the winners heads
sacred olive tree wreath