The Panathenaic Festival
The Panathenaea (‘all-Athenian festival') was the most important festival for Athens and one of the grandest in the entire Greek world. Except for slaves, all inhabitants of the city (polis) could take part in the festival.
This holiday is believed to have been the observance of Athena's birthday and honored the goddess as the city's patron goddess.
The procession assembled before dawn at the Dipylon gate in the northern sector of the city. The procession made its way on the Panathenaic Way through the Agora (marketplace) toward the Acropolis. Some sacrifices were offered in front of the temple of Athena Nikê next to the Propylaea.
Only Athenian citizens were allowed to pass through the Propylaea and enter the Acropolis. The procession passed the Parthenon, and stopped at the great altar of Athena in front of the Erechtheon.
Each year a newly woven dress (peplos) was dedicated to Athena.
In 566 BC, at the initiative of Peisistratus, a special aspect of this festival was created for every fourth year, extending over a number of days with many public events (Great Panathenaea). The Panathenaic Games were held as part of the fourth year of the festival
The Parthenon Frieze, some scholars suggest, represents the Panathenaic procession. Its decorative sculptures are considered one of the high points of Greek art.
A monumental cult statue of Athena Parthenos was housed in the eastern room of the building. This statue was sculpted in ivory and gold by Phidias.
This holiday is believed to have been the observance of Athena's birthday and honored the goddess as the city's patron goddess.
The procession assembled before dawn at the Dipylon gate in the northern sector of the city. The procession made its way on the Panathenaic Way through the Agora (marketplace) toward the Acropolis. Some sacrifices were offered in front of the temple of Athena Nikê next to the Propylaea.
Only Athenian citizens were allowed to pass through the Propylaea and enter the Acropolis. The procession passed the Parthenon, and stopped at the great altar of Athena in front of the Erechtheon.
Each year a newly woven dress (peplos) was dedicated to Athena.
In 566 BC, at the initiative of Peisistratus, a special aspect of this festival was created for every fourth year, extending over a number of days with many public events (Great Panathenaea). The Panathenaic Games were held as part of the fourth year of the festival
The Parthenon Frieze, some scholars suggest, represents the Panathenaic procession. Its decorative sculptures are considered one of the high points of Greek art.
A monumental cult statue of Athena Parthenos was housed in the eastern room of the building. This statue was sculpted in ivory and gold by Phidias.