Maimakterion – Fifth Month of the Ancient Attic Calendar

Maimakterion- 5th Month of the Attic Calendar

The ancient Athenians used the Attic or Athenian calendar (only one of many calendars used in ancient Greece) mainly to keep track of the numerous celebrations going on more or less every day all over the city.

This explains why each month is named after its major festival and goes a long way in helping us to understand the saying “Party like a Greek”!

The Attic or Athenian Calendar

The Ancient Attic or Athenian Calendar

Hekatombaion, the New Year in ancient Athens, began at sunset, just after midsummer, with the first sighting of the new or crescent moon, after the summer solstice.

Summer (Θέρος)

1. Hekatombaion (Eκατομβαιών) July/August

2. Metageitnion (Μεταγειτνιών) August/September

3. Boedromion (Βοηδρομιών) September/October

Autumn (Φθινόπωρον)

4. Pyanepsion (Πυανεψιών) October/November

5. Maimakterion (Μαιμακτηριών) November/December

6. Poseidon (Ποσειδεών) December/January

Winter (Χεῖμα)

7. Gamelion (Γαμηλιών) January/February

8. Anthesterion (Aνθεστηριών) February/March

9. Elaphebolion (Eλαφηβολιών) March/April

Spring (Ἔαρ)

10. Mounichion (Μουνιχιών) April/May

11. Thargelion (Θαργηλιών) May/June

12. Skirophorion (Σκιροφοριών) June/July

Maimakterion

The Fifth Month of the Ancient Attic Calendar

Zeus Zeus Maimaktes – Stormy Weather!

Maimakterion was the fifth month of the ancient Attic calendar, roughly around mid November to mid December in today’s Gregorian calendar.

The month of Maimakterion was dedicated to Zeus Maimaktes (“Blustering Zeus”) and is linked to the coming of winter and stormy weather.

There were two major festivals held in the month of Maimakterion; the Maimakteria and the Pompaia.

Little is known about these festivals and most likely the earlier Maimakteria festival was linked to the later Pompaia festival.

The Maimakteria Festival

Zeus Maimaktes (“Blustering Zeus”) – Stormy Zeus

The festivals of the ancient Attic month of Maimakterion were held in honour of Zeus, king of all Greek gods, who also happened to be the god of weather.

Anyone was allowed to take part in these celebrations, where offerings would have been presented to Zeus Maimaktes (“Blustering Zeus”, in the hope he would repay the citizens of ancient Athens with relatively mild winter weather.

The Pompaia Festival

The Pompaia festival, or procession, was a purification ritual, again dedicated first and foremost to the god Zeus.

Wine and grapes played a part in the festival, as did a “kerykeion”, the ancient Greek word for the caduceus, the staff of the messenger god Hermes and in some parts of Greece, the month of Maimakterion referred to as the Hermaia.

These facts have caused some historians to believe that it’s more than possible the gods Dionysus and Hermes also played a part in the festival.

“kerykeion”, the ancient Greek word for the caduceus, the staff of the messenger gods Hermes

During this festival, the ‘Diòs Koidion’, meaning “the fleece of Zeus” or “the sheepskin of Zeus”, the fleece of a ram sacrificed to Zeus, refers to the Golden Fleece of Greek mythology.

This was the fleece of a magical winged ram that rescued Phrixus and was later sacrificed to Zeus by Phrixus to show his gratitude.