Archæologiæ Græcæ, or, The antiquities of Greece by John Potter ...

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,

A Festival (e) first instituted at Athens, and from thence deriv'd to the rest of the Ionians, except those of Ephesus, and Colophon. It receiv'd its Name from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which signifies Deceit; because it was first instituted in memory of a Stratagem, by which Melanthius, the Athenian King, overcame Xanthus, King of Boeotia. For a Con∣troversy happening between the Athenians, and Boeotians, about a piece of Ground situated upon the Con••ines of Attica and Boeotia; Xan∣thus made a Proposal, that himself, and the Athenian King should end the Quarrel by a single Combat. Thymoetes reign'd at that Time in Athens; but declining the Fight, was depos'd: his Successour was Melanthius a Messenian, Son of Neleus and Periclymene, who having accepted the Challenge, met his Enemy at the appointed Place; where, as they were just going to begin the Fight, Melanthius thinking, or pretending that he saw at Xanthus's Back, a Person habited in a black Goat-skin, cry'd out, that the Articles were violated; upon this, Xan∣thus looking back, was treacherously slain by Melanthius. In Memory of this Success, Iupiter was sirnam'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. Deceiver; and Bacchus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. cloath'd in a black Goat-skin, and was far∣ther honour'd with a new Temple, and the Institution of this Fe∣stival. Others are of opinion, that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 are so call'd, q. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,

•• e. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because upon this Festival, Children accompany'd ••••eir Fathers, to have their Names enter'd into the Publick Register: ••••ter the same manner, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is equivalent to 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Others will have 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to be so nam'd, because the Children were till that Time 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. without Fathers, in a Civil sence; for that it was not till then publickly recorded, whose ••••ey were. For a like reason, Melchisedec is by some thought to be call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (a), i. e. without Father, without Mother; viz. because his Parentage was omitted in the Publick Genealogies. To ••••turn: This Festival was celebrated in the Month Pyanepsion, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 three Days.

The first Day was call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. a Supper; be∣••••••se on that Day at Evening, each Tribe had a separate Meeting, ••••ereat a sumptuous Entertainment was provided.

The second Day was nam'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this Day Victims were offer'd to Iupiter 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Minerva; in whose Sacrifices (as in all that were offer'd to Cele∣••••••l Gods) it was usual 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. to turn the Head of the Victims upwards, towards Heaven. At this Sacrifice, the Children enroll'd amongst the Citizens, were plac'd close to the Al∣••••. It was usual also, for Persons richly apparell'd, to take lighted ••o••ches out of the Fire, and run about, singing Hymns in praise of Vulcan, who was the first that taught Men the use of that Ele∣ment: Which Custom is by Meursius referr'd to this Day, tho' Har∣••••ration, to whom we are indebted for the Mention of it, has left 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the Dark as to it's Time.

The third Day was nam'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. a Youth; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. Shaving; because the young Men, who till that Time re∣min'd unshaved, had their Hair cut off, before they were presented to be registred. Their Fathers at this Time were oblig'd to swear, t••at both Themselves, and the Mothers of the young Men, were Free-born Athenians It was also usual to offer a Sheep in Sacrifice to Diana, which they call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 this Victim was to be of a ••••••tain Weight; and because it once happen'd, that the Standers-by c••y'd out in jest, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. Too little, too little, it was ever after call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and the Persons that offer'd it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

To these Hesychius adds a fourth Day, which he tells us was call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but that Name is not peculiar to this Festival, but generally apply'd to any Day, celebrated after the End of another Solemnity; being deriv'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. from following; because it was a sort of Appendage to the Great Festival.

Notes

• (e)

  Aristophanis Scholiast. Achar••. Hesychius, Harpocration, Suidas, Etymologici Auctor. Idem Auctores ubique sunt in hoc toto capite citati.
• (a)

  Epistola ad Hebr••o••.