Dionysia Themes

Discuss how Dionysian rituals relate to the action of The Acharnians and its theme, what do rituals like the rural Dionysia and the pitcher festival mean to Dicaeopolis, and how do they show the benefits of peace as opposed to war?

There are two festivals, celebrated in Aristophanes’ Acharnians

Rural Dionysia:

The procession of the Rural Dionysia is a celebration of peace and of the anticipated return of fertility and thus fittingly remains a controlled religious affair. Dionysus is addressed respectfully and hymned; Phales is addressed in familiar and playful terms and is invited to drink with the members of the procession. Great care is taken that the members of the procession are in their proper order and that the correct procedures are

The desire for a tranquil life leads him to make a secret peace treaty with Spartans

On his homecoming, he decides to celebrate rural Dionysia which he has not been able to hold for 6 years due to war. his freedom and salvation from war, returning to bountiful rustic life urge his to feast. so, this first festival is pertinent to peaceful theme of the play and comic hero’s return to his homeland

The ritual is a lighthearted procession, and contains a song to god Phales, a sacrifice, and the ritual phallus, only the members of his household participate in this occasion, the only people with whom Dicaeopolis shares his peace. He warns his daughter to be aware of thieves in the crowd when wearing her jewelry

in the rural Dionysia, of Acharnians, Dicaeopolis ‘daughter is the basket bearer, xantisas and other slaves are to hold the erect phalos behind her and the wife is being the observer. when the girl sets down the basket the ritual begins., Dicaeopolis prays to god

These jokes consist of both rustic and sexual terms and images that relate to fertility and reproduction which is the center of this phallic ritual. He praises the rustic life where there is always a chance of hunting young plump girls and have an aggressive sex with them

The khoes :

In Acharnians, Aristophanes omits the first day of Anthesteria and describes the celebration on second day, which is called khoes, or pitcher festival.

In this festival Dicaeoplis is preparing for his dinner banquet when he receives an invitation to a drinking contest, by Dionysus priest. he tells Dicaeopolis to bring his pitcher and basket, which seems to be huge since there is enough food in it to feed the whole party.

In this party, the host already provided comfortable environment, there are food and dessert, tables, pillows, whores, incense garlands and beautiful dancing girls

The whole feast is very Dionysiac: drinking contest, wine, and sex, there is plenty of