Boedromion – Third Month of the Ancient Attic or Athenian Calendar
Attic Calendar – This frieze can be seen on the top of the wall above the main entrance of the church of Agios Eleutherios in Athens, also known as ‘Little Metropolis’
The month of “Boedromion” was the third month in the ancient Greek Attic, or Athenian, calendar, which in today’s Gregorian calendar falls from mid-September to mid-October.
The Attic Calendar
The ancient Attic or Athenian Calendar
The ancient Greeks had numerous calendars used for different purposes, which calendar they used depended on how they lived; if they were in to politics, they would most likely use a democratic state calendar, if they were farmers, an agricultural calendar of seasons would suit them better.
However, as the ancient Greeks were known for their love of partying and never missed a good festival, their most popular calendar was the lunisolar Attic Calendar, a festival calendar.
Each month was named after the festival celebrated during that month and each day was also named after the numerous festivals held in that same month.
The Attic year began in midsummer with the lunar month of Hekatombaion (today around July), followed by Metageitnion, Boedromion, Pyanepsion, Maimakterion, Poseideon, Gamelion, Anthesterion, Elaphebolion, Mounichion, Thargelion, and Skirophorion.
Boedromion
Third month of the Attic Calendar (September/October)
Apollo Belvedere, restored Roman copy of the Greek original attributed to Leochares, 4th century BC; in the Vatican Museum, Rome
The month of Boedromion was dedicated to Boedromion Apollo, the god who rushed in to help in times of danger.
Greek philosopher and historian, Plutarch (c. AD 40 – 120s) who was also a priest at the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, tells us this was in order to honour Apollo for his help during the Athenians’ victory over the Amazons on the seventh day of the month.
Other sources have it that the name derives from Apollo’s participation during the war between the Athenians and the Eleusinians when the Eleusinians asked Apollo to help them.
The main festival of the month of Boedromion was The Greater Eleusinian Mysteries
(Lesser festivals included the Genesia or Nekysia, a celebration in memory of deceased loved ones and the Charisteria, dedicated to Artemis, goddess of the hunt, for her help in the Athenian victory at Marathon in 490 B.C.)
The Greater Eleusinian Mysteries
A votive plaque known as the Ninnion Tablet depicting elements of the Eleusinian Mysteries, discovered in the sanctuary at Eleusis (mid-4th century BC)
The ‘Greater Mysteries’ lasted for ten days, revolving around the concept of rebirth and eternal life, based on the myth of Persephone and her return to Earth from the Underworld and her reunion with her mother Demeter, which symbolized the flow of everlasting life.
Probably it was re-enactment of the death and rebirth of Persephone which the initiates maybe watched or played some part in.
The myth was depicted in a cycle with three phases: the “descent”, the “search” and the “ascent”, meant to represent emotions from sorrow to joy.
