Topic 5: Festivals

Greek and Roman religious festivals - worship, celebration and community

J199/11 - GCSE Classical Civilisation

Learning Objectives

By the end of this topic, you will be able to:

  • Describe how the Great Panathenaia and the City Dionysia were founded
  • Describe what happened on each day of the Great Panathenaia and the City Dionysia
  • Describe what happened at the Lupercalia and the Saturnalia
  • Describe the sacrifices that took place at each festival
  • Explain why the Great Panathenaia and City Dionysia were important to the Athenians
  • Explain how Athena and Dionysus were worshipped at their festivals
  • Explain why the Lupercalia and Saturnalia were important to the Romans
  • Explain how Lupercus and Saturn were worshipped at their festivals

Choose Your Festival

5.1
The Great Panathenaia
Athens' greatest festival in honour of Athena - processions, sacrifices, athletic contests and the sacred peplos.
Covers: Foundation, day-by-day events, the hecatomb, the peplos, importance to Athenians
5.2
The City Dionysia
The great dramatic festival of Athens honouring Dionysus - tragedy, comedy, processions and sacrifice.
Covers: Foundation, day-by-day events, dramatic contests, the pompe, importance to Athenians
5.3
The Lupercalia
Rome's wild February festival of purification and fertility - the Luperci, the goatskin thongs and the Lupercal cave.
Covers: Origins, rituals, sacrifices, the Luperci priests, importance to Romans
5.4
The Saturnalia
Rome's most beloved December festival honouring Saturn - social inversion, feasting and gift-giving.
Covers: Origins, rituals, sacrifices, social inversion, importance to Romans

Ready to Begin?

Start with the two Greek festivals (Panathenaia and Dionysia) before moving to the Roman ones (Lupercalia and Saturnalia). Think about how they compare!

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