Panathenaea

Definitions

A festival formerly held annually in Athens to honour the city's patron goddess Athena, involving animal sacrifices, a grand procession, and, every fourth year, athletic and musical contests.

historical

Equivalents

Examples

“VVhen Panathænea vvere celebrated at Athens, an olde man gooing to take⟳ a place⟳ vvas mockingly reiected, at the laſt comming among the Lacedemonians all the youth gaue him place⟳, vvhich yͤ Athenians liked vvell off, then one of the Sparthans cryed out: Uerily yͤ Athenians knovv vvhat ſhould be done, but they neuer doe it.”

“Panathenæa. A ſolemnity held at Athens: vvherein the vvhole city men, vvomen and children vvere aſſembled. And ſuch games, dances and plaies as vvere then exhibited; or vvhat orations vvere then and there made, they called Panathenaik.”

“Ion.— […] [T]here were contests in every species of music. […] I bore away the first prize at the games, O Socrates. / Socrates.—Well done! You have⟳ now only to consider⟳ how you shall win⟳ the Panathenæa.”

CEFR level