Panathenaia

The Panathenaia (in Greek: Παναθήναια) celebrations with very ancient origins were held in honor of the patron of the city of Athens, the goddess Athena. They were celebrated in mid-summer and brought together the ten races of Attica.

In about 566 BC the festival became quadri-annual (in the third year of each Olympiad and was called the Great Panathenaia. After Peisistratos reorganised the games he added rhapsodoi (epic poetry recital) competitions to the gymnic contests. Later on, Pericles increased the importance of the music competitions building the Odeion next to the Theatre of Dionysos.

The ten athlothetai elected every four years were responsible for organising the games and the procession on the final day. The games started with the equestrian competitions.

The prize was a Panathenian amphora depicting on one side Athena "Promachos" and on the other side the contest in which the victor had competed. The "pyrriche" (armoured war dance) and the "evandria" (young men's) contests were held next. The musical competitions included epic poetry recitals, song and lyrical poetry to flute music.

At night the great Panathenaia procession took place (Keramikos - Agor - Areopagos - Propylaia - Sacred Acropolis area).