Aiora

Aiora ( Greek  Αἰώρα , "rocking festival ") was a Dionysian cult celebration in ancient Athens , which was celebrated on the 3rd day of the Anthesteries .

According to legend, it was a celebration of atonement for Erigone and her father Ikarios . Erigone had wandered around for a long time in search of the unburied body of her murdered father. When she finally found and buried him, she hanged herself from a tree in desperation.

The god Dionysus , whose helper had been Icarius in the spread of viticulture, sent a curse on the inhabitants of Attica, which caused many virgins to hang themselves in the same way as Erigone for no apparent reason. The oracle of Apollo finally advised the Athenians to punish the murderers of Icarius and to set up a feast of atonement in honor of Erigone and Icarius.

At this festival, young girls or dolls were placed on swings hanging in trees and a certain song ( Ἀλῆτις "the wandering") was sung, as reported by Hyginus ( De astronomia 2.2).

literature

• Wolfgang Fauth : Aiora. In: The Little Pauly (KlP). Volume 1, Stuttgart 1964, Col. 188 f.