ANTHESPHORIA, in Antiquity, a Feast celebrated in Sicily, in Honour of Proserpina. See FEAST. The Word is derived from the Greek ἄνθος, Flower, and φέρω, I carry, in regard that Goddess was forced away by Pluto, when she was gathering Flowers in the Fields. Yet Festus does not ascribe the Feast to Proserpina; but says it was thus called, by reason Ears of Corn were carried on this Day to the Temples. Anthesphoria seems to be the same thing with the Floralia of the Latins.
