Dionysia

Festivals of the god Dionysus (Bacchus) celebrated in ancient Greece, especially in Athens. There were five main festivals, including the Little or Rustic Dionysia in the month of Poseidon (Dec), and the Great or City Dionysia in the month of Elaphebolion (end of Mar), which was celebrated with a ritual procession and dramatic contests for new plays in the Theatre of Dionysus.

Lenaea, a festival of the maenads (female devotees of the god), was observed at Athens in Gamelion (Jan), with a procession and dramatic shows. The Anthesteria, 11–15 Anthesterion (Feb–Mar), was marked by special commemorations of the dead, and at Athens by a symbolic marriage between the wine-god and the wife of the archon basileus (chief magistrate of the city). Oschophoria, the carrying of grape-clusters, took place in the month of Pyanepsion (late Oct).