ANTHESTERIA, in Antiquity, was a Feast celebrated by the Athenians, in Honour of Bacchus. See FEAST. Some are of opinion it took its Name from the Month Anthesterion, wherein it was celebrated. Others pretend that it was not the Name of any particular Feast, but that all the Feasts of Bacchus were called Anthesphoria.
The most natural Derivation of the Word is from ἄνθος, Flos, a Flower; it being the Custom at this Feast to offer Garlands of Flowers to Bacchus. The Anthesphoria lasted three Days, the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth of the Month; each of which Days had a Name suited to the proper Office of the Day. The first Day of the Feast was called Pithoigia, i.e., Opening of the Vessels, in regard on this Day they opened the Vessels, and tasted the Wine. The second they called Choes, Choës, the Name of a Measure, containing the Weight of about ten Pounds; on this Day they drank the Wine prepared the Day before. The third Day they called Chytroi, Kettles; on this Day they boiled all sorts of Pulse in Kettles; which, however, they were not allowed to taste, as being offered to Mercury.
