Gerarai
human_specialist Ancient Greece single tradition · 1
Gerarai (Ancient Greek: Γεραραί) were priestesses of Dionysus in ancient Greek religion. They presided over sacrifices and participated in the festivals of Theoinia and Iobaccheia during the month of Anthesteria, and assisted in the sacred marriage rites of the queen to Dionysus. Fourteen women, chosen for their age, were sworn in by the Athenian basilinna or her husband, the archon basileus.
Sources
wikipedia (1)
Source passages
“Gerarai (Ancient Greek: Γεραραί), also known by the latinized form Gerarae, were priestesses (Hiereiai) of Dionysus in ancient Greek religion. They presided over sacrifices and participated in the festivals of Theoinia and Iobaccheia that took place during the month of Anthesteria, among other duties.”
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