When Daedalus and Icarus made their daring escape from Crete on wings made of wax (in the midst of the voyage, Icarus famously flew too close to the sun), Daedalus made it all the way to Sicily where he built a temple to Apollo. On Odysseus went to visit Aeolus, the god of the winds, who lived in a castle protected by a solid bronze wall on the island of Lipari, one of Sicily’s Aeolian Islands.ĭaedalus and Icarus: too close to the sun On his epic ten-year voyage home from the Trojan War, Odysseus came to Sicily and was kidnapped by Polyphemos the Cyclops, whom he blinded in order to escape.įrom the Cyclops’ lair, Odysseus circled around Sicily, safely passing through the clutches of Scylla, a man-eating monster that lived in a cliff-side cave across from the whirlpool of Charybdis (thought to be the straits of Messina). Persephone’s time in the underworld correlates to the fall and winter season, and her return symbolizes the advent of spring and fertile lands. From Sicily, Demeter, the goddess of corn and wheat, set out in search of her daughter and so, in mythology, the seasons were born. It was on the island of Sicily that Demeter and her daughter Persephone were picking flowers when the god Hades stole Persephone away to the depths of his underworld kingdom. To the early Greeks, it was a place where gods and heroes lived, earthbound yet somehow otherworldly. In the archaic Greek world, Sicily and the Aeolian Islands belonged in the realm of Myth. It’s proof of just how important a role Sicily played in the ancient world. From monsters to maidens, we can look to the ancient Greeks and their mythology to see how this island has served as the backdrop to the classic stories of antiquity. The largest and most diverse island in the Mediterranean, Sicily is also the place where many legends and myths were born. During the festival, people forgot their differences and came together to celebrate the bounty of the harvest.At the crossroads of culture, Sicily has seen countless civilizations come and go over the centuries, from Greeks and Romans to Phoenicians and Arabs, the French and the Spanish, all leaving their mark on the island.įrom architecture, the arts and even gastronomy, these influences come together to create an aesthetic that is uniquely Sicilian. The feast was an opportunity to share food, drink, and stories and build camaraderie amongst members of the community. The festival of Thesmorphia was an opportunity to honor these two goddesses and their mythology, which highlighted the importance of the harvest and the cycle of life.Īnother reason why the Thesmorphia festival was significant was that it was a time for the community to come together and celebrate. The story of Persephone reflects the cycle of life, death, and resurrection. Demeter was the goddess of agriculture, and Persephone was her young daughter, who was kidnapped by Hades, the god of the underworld. The festival was also significant in terms of its religious and mythological significance. Women played a significant role in the festival, and they were responsible for the preparation of the feast and various other aspects of the festival. The festival was also a time for women to come together, and it was an opportunity for them to assert their power and influence in the society. Firstly, it celebrated the end of the harvesting season, and it was a time to give thanks for a good crop. The Thesmorphia festival was significant for many reasons. The third day was a joyous celebration, and the remnants of the feast were donated to the poor. On the second day, a procession was held, and women walked around the fields carrying torches, symbolizing the power of Demeter. On the first day, the first fruits of the harvest were offered to Demeter, and a feast was held in her honor. During the festival, women were not allowed to sleep with their husbands, and purification rituals were performed at the temples of Demeter and Persephone. The festival was a three-day affair, and it was observed mainly by women. The Thesmorphia festival was celebrated on the 11th of Pyanepsion, which corresponds to late October or early November in the modern Gregorian calendar. And it is a harvest festival, just like our US Thanksgiving is. Very interesting! I don't see the "Thanksgiving" connection (not the way we in the US think of it) but I thought it was interesting because it goes to show you that gratitude-related festivals are an ancient concept. I have heard this festival described as an "Ancient Greek Thanksgiving" so I thought I would look it up.
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