Gerarai

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Gerarai were priestesses of Dionysus (see also Bacchus) in ancient Greek ritual. They presided over sacrifices and participated in the festival of Anthesteria, among other duties. Fourteen in all, they were either sworn in by the Athenian Basilinna or the Archon Basileus (either the queen or king). One of their primary duties during the Anthesteria was to assist in performing the sacred marriage rites of the queen to Dionysus, and thus held to secrecy. They were called Gerarai, from the Greek word "gerasko", meaning "to grow old", because older women were chosen for the role.

See also

• Anthesteria (Choes)
• Bacchae
• Dionysia
• Maenad

References

• Otto, Walter F. Dionysus, Myth and Cult. Spring Publications (1989). ISBN 0-88214-214-3
• http://www.sacred-texts.com/sex/rmn/rmn08.htm

External links

• The Anthesteria Bibliotheca Arcana (1997)
• The Anthesteria The Hellenic World (2002)
• Gerarai / The Fourteen The Advent of Dionysus (1997)
• Dionysos at Athens: Tragedy, Comedy, and Cult

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Last updated on Wednesday December 19, 2007 at 07:16:49 PST (GMT -0800)
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