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Local Festivals at Delos

Author(s): Irene Ringwood Arnold


Source: American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 37, No. 3 (Jul. - Sep., 1933), pp. 452-458
Published by: Archaeological Institute of America
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/498958
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LOCAL FESTIVALS AT DELOS

TO THE study of the agonistic features of local festivals which I


pleted for the mainland of Greece and for Euboea, Delos has pr

addition.' In no other locality, Attica alone excepted, have I

multiplicity of festival occasions, or with such extensive equipm


important aywv~S. My research, it is true, has been limited to a
later periods of Delian History, but even in the earliest times th
as a center of festival celebrations.

The description of the Pan-Ionic gathering in the Homeric Hymn is still the mos
vivid picture of Delos in festival time. "With Delos, Phoebus, art thou most delighted at heart, where the long-robed Ionians gather in thine honor, with childre
and shame-fast wives. Mindful of thee they delight thee with boxing, and dances
and minstrelsy in their games. Whoso then encountered them at the gathering of
the Ionians, would say that they are exempt from eld and death, beholding them s
gracious, and would be glad at heart, looking on the men and fair-girdled women,
and their much wealth, and their swift galleys. Moreover, there is this grea
marvel of renown imperishable, the Delian damsels, hand-maidens of the Far
darter. They, when first they have hymned Apollo, and next Leto and Artemis th
Archer, then sing in memory of the men and women of old time, enchanting the
tribes of mortals."2 The picture is one of Ionic softness and charm, but we feel
that the interest was centered in the grace and beauty of the setting rather than i
any show of athletic or gymnastic skill. Was this the dominant note in all Delian
festivals? Was Delos ever interested primarily in athletic accomplishment or did
the &-yv~Es from first to last retain the coloring of the Homeric picture?

A review of the other evidence confirms the Homeric account. In Callimachus3


the musical setting is even more pronounced. "Not silent art thou nor noiseless
when Hesperus of the curling locks looks down on thee, but ringing evermore with
sound. The men sing the song of the old man of Lycia-the very song which the
seer Olen brought thee from Xanthus: the maidens of the choir beat with their fee
the steadfast ground."

Lucian4 leaves no doubt about the customs in his time: ~v A1i'X a6 yE oi~ i atOvLa
aVEv bpxIjEWCS. So too with the vases and coinage-the dance motif is a favorite on
with the vase-painters and the lyre is the familiar type on many Delian coins.
The inscriptions, which have been the principal source for this discussion, reveal
in the main the same type of festival. The record of the agonistic inscriptions is
more detailed than the literary references, but with few exceptions the program i
still essentially a choral performance. In later times the gymnastic program is
elaborated by a torch race5 and various kinds of foot races, but most innovation
1 Part I: Non-Attic Mainland, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., 19927. "Euboea," A.J.A., XXXIII, 1929, pp.
2 Hymn to Delian Apollo, 11. 146-162-Lang's translation.
3 Call. IV, 302-306-Mair's translation.
4 De Salt., 16.

385 ff.

5 The torch race is the principal feature also of the boys' games held in the gymnasium, and recorded
in inscriptions of the late second century. The names of some of these gymnasium festivals are men452

THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE


OF AMERICA

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FESTIVALS

OF

DELOS

453

are found in the musical portion


festival year I have followed the

the dryvEs as far as the somewhat c


The festival season opened for the
of

the

most

famous

of

their

ayJvEs

in Homer's time. Of this importa


exact name nor the time of its ce
various periods of its history. Fro
subject, a few facts emerge. Del
Athenians . . . Apollonia was pre
date of the festival, it is assigned
according to its celebration by th

why

in

it

the

should

Delian

not

be

dated

Calendar,

for

and

all

the

mo

the inscriptions. The inscription


centuries B.C.), but religious cons
an old and revered celebration t

Delian

history.

annually

in

But

that

if

we

month,

conce

or

only

their relation to Delian history. W


the purification of the island by
into a penteteris, and the old Hom
ian institution. The reorganizatio
this annual celebration like the les
period of the penteteris.5 In any
the annual festival is the only one
But whatever the name and date,
splendor of the festival at all perio
reorganization, deputations were s
also. We recall the passage in Plat
execution has been delayed until
return from Delos. Plutarch gives
Nikias was in control of the Athen

"how

splendid

tioned-Hermaia

and

(B.C.H.

worthy
XV,

pp.

of

284

ff

15), Theseia (Ibid., pp. 424-5, Nos. 18 & 19


occurs), Athenaia (B.C.H. XXXVI, p. 412,
1 Cf. Homolle's reconstruction of Delian
2 Cf. Nilsson, Gr. F., pp. 144 ff.
3 Ibid., p. 145; cf. Robert, Hermes XXI (
Deli ins. reb.," Berl. Stud. 9, 35 ff. Homol
associates Apollonia with birthday celebra
III, 104.
5 Cf. Roussel, D6los, Colonie Athbnienne, pp. 208 ff.
6 The Delia appear again at the end of the second century, and are apparently an annual revival o
the penteteric celebration (Cf. Roussel, ibid., pp. 209-10). There is mention also of the Apollonia in
connection with an Athenaia in the middle of the second century, but that seems to refer to a boy
gymnasium contest (Cf. above, p. 452, n. 5).
7 Nik., III.

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454 IRENE RINGWOOD ARNOLD

break of day he led his festival procession in

in lavish splendor, singing as it marched


rifice and choral contests and banquets we
palm tree as a thank offering to the god.

proverbial, and a late paroemiographer pr

AX0Xov 7rXfE(w."

The agon proper comprised, in the fifth c


equestrian contests. The gymnastic games
the time of independence, but they must
program of the Athenian celebration. Th

types of foot races2 classified for 'ivbpes, a'yE

wrestling, and the pentathlon.3 Torch rac


this period.4 Equestrian contests were adde
know nothing of their further developmen

were phialai of silver," and in one inscription

awards. A sum of 100 drachmae is put asid


the sale of the hides of the sacrificial victim
were also presented with a sacred palm.
But the essential part of the celebration s

formance of the so-called Delian maiden

described as imitating the speech of many


Leto, and Artemis and singing in memory

In Athenian times the members of the chor

and talent, in a word for Ediav5pLa.10 In t


chorus of Deliads apparently continued in i
Choregic lists of the early third century,1
choruses (ratifd), trained and supervised b

ruses contended yearly, but the lists record o

Delians. In some of the later lists the two

difficult to define the functions of this chor

scriptions, but I judge that it was quite dis


The dance which the Deliads performed fr
yipavos, which, according to Athenian trad
return from Crete.14 Having sacrificed to
of the Athenians, he began with the yout
1 Paroemiog. Gdtt., p. 42.
3 I.G. XI2. 203 11. 65 ff.

2 ot6 LOP, 6oXtLXOS, L707rLOP.

4 Ibid; cf. above p. 3, No

In 426, Thucyd. III, 104; I.G. II, 814B, 1-27 (y

irirobpoplas.

7B.C.H. XIV, 492 ff.-Homolle's commentary.


9 Hymn to Del. Apollo, ibid.

6 I.G. II, 816, 1.13; 814, B, 1. 27.


8 Thes. XXI.

10 Xen. Mem. III, 3, 12.


11 The chorus of women is mentioned in inscriptions of the early third century (B.C.H., XIV, p. 501,
Note 4).
12 C.I.G. I, No. 389. I.G. XI2, 105 ff.
13 I.G. ibid., 128 ff.
14 Plut. Thes. 21; Call. IV, 302-315-cf. Nilsson, who rightly connects the dance with the Aphrodisia.
Theall7pavo3
was probably celebrated at the most important festivals-and in the later period apparently
at
festivals.

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FESTIVALS

OF

DELOS

455

the windings of the labyrinth. T


famous FranCois Vase, but the art

and maidens joining hands and


would be easiest for the vase-pai
complicated and more suggestive
its name. The representations of
been inspired by a dance of this
some of the accessories of the ch

in the accounts of the officials a


are constantly mentioned for the
dancers through the intricacies o
for torches would indicate that m
ruses

contended

for

prizes

in

singin

and beauty." Beauty contests wer


Aside from Athens where men c
have met with that type of conte
seem to have been of a more ritu
Delos were tripods.4
The festival of the Delia-Apollon
of the Dionysia.5 This was clearly
introduced in the Athenian Perio
is known to us only through the
for the Apollonia. The regulatio

festivals, but the Dionysia adds t


Some of the dramatic lists recor
ably the one reputed to be the so
Dionysia, as did also Chrysippos,

New

Comedy.

The

lists

record

names are found again in Soteric


nian Lenaea victor lists. Apparen
in control of Dionysiac guilds.
Some unusual musical and drama

VPvpocTrarrfls, marionette player, i


the only occurrence of the word in
1
2

Dirrbach,
For

Inscr.

meaning

of

de

Del.,

jpvy6s,

cf.

316,

1.75.

Livy,

XXVII,

modulantes incesserunt. Cf. Diels, Sibyll


3 Xen., Mem. III, 3,S.G.
12. II, 814 A, 1.33.
5 Homolle (B.C.H. XIV, 492 ff.) puts the
There

is

no

definite

connection

of

the

fest

to the adornment of the statue of Diony


Attic month Elaphebolion, the time of t
6 Cf. Homolle's article in Dar.-Sag., wh
clear from the arrangement of the lists t
are to be referred to the Dionysia alone.
7 I.G. XI2, 107 ff. Cf. Robinson, A.J.P

pp. 112 ff.

8 I.G. XI2, 133, 1.80. Cf. Arist. de mnundo, 6; Athen. I. 19e.

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456 IRENE RINGWOOD ARNOLD

entitled 'p~oiato-rn is interpreted by DUirrba

Latin.' The bpxnar's of the list may be a p


scribes,2 but it is interesting to compare
KaXovEfivoL~.3 These he describes as 'perso
the temple of the Delian Apollo.' They w
members of the foremost Athenian famili

of the people of Thera. Other comparat

(Oavyarrorotbs),
a player
of the lyre
witho
the
prosodion, and
a dithyrambic
poet.4
The summer months were devoted to cer
desses.5 Of these the festivals of Artemis
most important. The Artemisia proper too
the days intervening between the festival

the so-called Britomartia.7 The name Br

Crete, which has already been indicated in


plain the character of many of the Delian
summer festivity, and in later times no d
Delian Aphrodite with the cult of an Orient

comparatively rare, and only at Zakynthos ha

In Delos the Aphrodisia was one of the mo


known of the details of the celebration. It
connection with the expenses for ropes, tor
accompaniment of all Delian festivals.
Of the ceremonies recorded for the Fall an
quently mentioned in inscriptions of th
celebration of the later months which see
games were dedicated to Poseidon Asphalei
erable expense." Of the program of contes
most important event, and is allotted in o
award of twenty drachmae for the first pla
which took place in the same month and is
appears to have been a much older festival t
agonistic history. The expenses of the Eilit
This survey of the Delian year does not in
1Cf. App. Hann. 41.

2 Poet. I r o b sr(^ ALv 6pXqo- r(A v & tCr(opX oF-aTro/IEovwv 'pv

SDeip. X, 424 F.
4 I.G. X12, 105-190.
5Artemis, Leto, Aphrodite, Hera, Demeter.
6 I.G. X12, 145, 1. 34, and 442, 1. 186. Cf. Artemisi

7Britomartia no longer existed after 279. Homolle


the festival of the Eighth Day.
8 In Hekatomb., Durr. 442 A, 1. 189.
Cf.
Nilsson, p
9 In
Posideion.
10 Orthosios occurs only here-possibly connected w
11 600 dr. Cf. B.C.H. XXXIV, pp. 141 ff.
12 The only event recorded--/dlxa, ibid. Cf. Dtirr
13 For the fullest account of Royal Festivals cf. Sch
vals have been most important evidence for the reco

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FESTIVALS

OF

DELOS

457

Ptolemaia, Antigoneia, Philippeia,


benefactors, the Donakeia, Gorgi
plete list of names from Delos th
the agonistic details. The official
of

ropes

and

torches

are

fair

indicat

celebrated with choral performan


from our knowledge of the other
the sacrifice, the somewhat limit
was no doubt elaborated and in co
banqueting which invariably clos
chandise was sold on the shore an
The men supplied the services of
Rites, and had names such as Meat
tions. The women served the foo
Such in the main is the picture o
and occasional literary references

us we can appreciate Athenaeus'


place in all the world equipped w
supplied with delicacies, a throng
parasites of the gods."2 And we ar

thology

the

desolation

which

ca

lonely isles, mere bits of earth, en


have indeed lost your old time spl
Delos who was once so brilliant, b
in the time of Delian prosperity a
of the adiwvEs shows no great dev
gram. Even more than the other

maintained
throughout

dance festival.

in

the

their

development

history

retain

mu

Cf. discussions of Tarn and Kolbe, J.H.S. XLIV, pp. 141 ff., ibid., L, 1930, pp. 90 ff. In opposition
to Kolbe, who supports the neutrality of Delos, Tarn claims that Delos became a member of the Island
League, and that the varying history of this League is reflected in the establishment of festivals in turn
by the Ptolemies, the Seleucids, Antigonids, etc.
I Athen. Deip. IV, 173A.
2 Athen. ibid., 173C.
3 Anth. Gr. IX, 421.

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458 IRENE RINGWOOD ARNOLD


CALENDAR OF DELIAN FESTIVALS*

(Completed from Homolle's reconstruction of the Delian Calendar, B.C.H. XIV,


1. Lenaion-Chersonesia, Echenikeia

2. Hieros-Apollonia, Ptolemaia, Antigoneia, Demetrieia (Diirrbach, Inscr. de Del. 338, 1. 94)


3. Galaxion-Dionysia, Asklepieia (B.C.H. XXIX, p. 496)
4. Artemision-Letia, Artemisia, Britomartia, Philokleia, Ptolemaia (Durr. ibid., 316, 1. 89)
5. Thargelion-(Dioskouria)
6. Panamos-

7. Hekatombaion-Aphrodisia, Soteria (Durr. ibid., 338, 1. 42), Romaia (B.C.H.

N. 3.)
8. Metageitnion-(Heraia), Thesmophoria, Ptolemaia
9. Bouphorion10. Apatourion-(Apatouria)
11. Aresion-Nuktophylaia, Chersonesia (DUrr. ibid., 328 1. 10)
192. Posideion-Eilithyia, Posideia

* The festivals in italics are the ones for which we have most evidence. The games with references

are additions to Homolle's list.

VASSAR COLLEGE

IRENE RINGWOOD ARNOLD

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