Panathenaia


The Panathenaia was an annual festival in Athens dedicated to the goddess Athena, with a more elaborate 'Great Panathenaia' occurring every four years. This larger iteration featured expanded festivities and competitions, distinguishing it from the regularly held 'Lesser Panathenaia'.

⭐ In the context of ancient Athens, the Panathenaia is considered…

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⭐ Core Definition: Panathenaia

The Panathenaea (or Panathenaia) was a multi-day ancient Greek festival held annually in Athens that would always conclude on 28 Hekatombaion, the first month of the Attic calendar. The main purpose of the festival was for Athenians and non-Athenians to celebrate the goddess Athena. Every four years, the festival was celebrated in a larger manner over a longer time period with increased festivities and was known as the Great (or Greater) Panathenaea. In the years that the festival occurred that were not considered the Great Panathenaea, the festival was known as the Lesser Panathenaea. The festival consisted of various competitions and ceremonies, culminating with a religious procession that ended in the Acropolis of Athens.

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In the context of ancient Athens, the Panathenaia is considered…
HINT: The Panathenaia was a yearly celebration honoring Athena, but every four years it was expanded into the 'Great Panathenaia' with more extensive events and a larger scale.

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Panathenaia in the context of City Dionysia

The Dionysia (/ˌd.əˈnɪzi.ə, ˌd.əˈnɪʃi.ə, ˌd.əˈnɪʃə/; Greek: Διονύσια) was a large festival in ancient Athens in honor of the god Dionysus, the central events of which were processions and sacrifices in honor of Dionysus, the theatrical performances of dramatic tragedies and, from 487 BC, comedies. It was the second-most important festival after the Panathenaia. The Dionysia actually consisted of two related festivals, the Rural Dionysia and the City Dionysia, which took place in different parts of the year.

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Panathenaia in the context of Hippocleides

Hippocleides (also Hippoclides) (Ancient Greek: Ἱπποκλείδης), the son of Teisander (Τείσανδρος), was an Athenian nobleman, who served as Eponymous Archon for the year 566 BC – 565 BC.

He was a member of the Philaidae, a wealthy Athenian family that was opposed to the Peisistratos family. During his term as archon, he set up the statue of Athena Promachos (πρὀμαχος) in Athens and oversaw a reorganization of the Panathenaia festival.

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