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An Athenian Festival, observ'd in Honour of Bacchus, upon the Eleventh, Twelfth, and Thirteenth Days of the Month Anthesterion.
The first Day was nam'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. because they then tapp'd their Barrels. The same Day was by the Chaeroneans call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. The Day of Good Genius; because it was customary to make merry upon it.
The second Day was call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from the Measure 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because ••••ry Man drunk out of his own Vessel; in memory of an Acci∣••ent that happened in the Reign of Pandion, or (as others say) of D••mophoon, under whom Orestes, having slain his Mother, fled to A••hens, before he had undergone the customary Purification for Mur∣••••. The Athenians were at that Time busy in Celebrating the ••estival of Bacchus, sirnam'd Lenaeus, because he had the Care of Win••∣••••••sses, which are in Greek call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. However, he was kindly ••••ceiv'd by Demophoon, who to prevent the Contamination, which ••ight adhere to the Company, by Drinking with a polluted Person, ••••d that Orestes might not take it unkindly to be forc'd to drink ••lone, order'd, that every Man should have a distinct Vessel of Wine, ••••d drink out of his own Cup. On the fore-going Day, they only open'd their Vessels, and tasted the Wine; but now it was customary to drink Iustily, and the longest Liver, in token of Victory, was re∣••a••ded with a Crown of Leaves, and a Vessel of Wine. It was ••••••al also to ride in Chariots, out of which they jested upon all that pass'd by. The Professors of Sophistry feasted at home, with their ••••iends upon this Day, and had Presents sent them from all Hands; To which Custom Eubulides alludes, in these Verses,
••••om this Day it was, that Bacchus had the Sirname of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.Ah! subtile Knave, you now the Sophist play, And wish that Bounteous 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 may approach, Whose Presents fill your Belly, and your Purse.
The third Day was call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. a Pot, which was brought forth full of all sorts of Seeds, which they accounted ••••••red to Mercury, and therefore abstain'd from them. Upon this Day the Comedians us'd to act; and at Sparta, Lycurgus order'd, that such of them as obtain'd the Victory, should be enroll'd amongst the Free Denizons.
During these Days, the Slaves were allow'd to make merry, drink, and revel; and therefore, at the End of the Festival, it was usual to make proclamation in this manner; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. Begone you Carian Slaves, the Anthesteria are ended.