Basic Differences

• Polytheism (vs. Monotheism)
• Morality less emphasized
• No sacred or authoritative text
• No concept of orthodoxy/heresy
• Priests not a select caste
• Ritual central; belief less important
• Sacred/secular distinction less clear

Religious landscape

• Temples
• Altars & smaller shrines
• Herms

• Sacrifice (animals, incense)
• Libation: pouring of liquid (usu. wine)
• Prayer: do ut des principle
• Votive (= vowed) offerings
• Festivals

• Held in late February
• Honors Dionysos, wine harvest

• New wine opened at Temple of Dionysos "in the Marshes"

• Procession with floats
• Banquet with separate tables
• Silent drinking contests
• Children get miniature jugs

• Athenian Hallowe’en
• Food set out for dead

• Grounded in agricultural cycle
• Linked to myth (Orestes)
• Reversal of normal roles, practices

Athenian Civic Festivals

Greater Dionysia (March)

• Tragedies, comedies performed

• Founded by Pisistratus
• Small-scale version held annually
• Full-scale version every 4 years
• Athletic contests; poetry recitations
• Massive procession
• Presentation of new peplos to Athena

Bacchic (Dionysiac) Rites

• Bacchus = Dionysos
• Celebrated outside city
• Primarily for women ("maenads")
• Union with or possession by god
• Euripides, Bacchae

• Orphism (< Orpheus)
• Pythagoreanism

• Held at Eleusis, near Athens
• Celebrate Demeter & Persephone
• Triptolemus: mortal sidekick of Demeter & agricultural benefactor
• Fertility, rebirth, renewal
• Initiates benefit after death

• Initiates assemble in Athens
• Bathing in sea with piglet
• Sacrifice
• Religious Retreat
• Procession: Athens -> Eleusis
• More sacrifices
• Secret night-time revelations