Cotyttia

Cotyttia (Greek: Κοτύττια, Kotuttiā) was an orgiastic, nocturnal religious festival of ancient Greece and Thrace in celebration of Cotytto, the goddess of unchastity, considered an aspect of Persephone.^[1][2]

Celebration

Cotyttia originated with the Edones as a celebration of the rape of Persephone.^[2][3] Throughout Thrace it was celebrated secretly in the hills at night,^[4][5][6][7] and was notorious for its obscenity and insobriety.^[3]

Through influence of trade and commerce, the Edonian form of the festival spread to Athens, Corinth, and Chios,^[1][2][7] where its mark became so pronounced that "companion of Cotytto" became synonymous with "slut".^[6]

In Sicily the rites of Cotyttia were much more mundane, celebrating the waxing aspect of Persephone.^[2][3]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Simpson, D. P. (1968). Cassell's Latin Dictionary. U.S.A.: Macmillan Publishing Co. p. 156. ISBN 0-02-522570-7. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Bell, John (2003). Bell's New Pantheon or Historical Dictionary of the Gods, Demi Gods, Heroes. Kessinger Publishing. p. 156. ISBN 076617834X. http://books.google.com/books?id=HNEMkXDHxo0C. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} Peck, Harry Thurston (1897). Harper's Dictionary of Classical Literature and Antiquities. New York: Harper & Brothers Pub. pp. 421–422. http://books.google.com/books?id=RacKAAAAIAAJ. 
4. ^ Verity, A. Wilson. Milton's Arcades and Comus. New York: Macmillan and Co. p. 94. http://books.google.com/books?id=Cns5W8431AkC. 
5. ^ Kennedy, Charles Rann (1856). The Orations of Demosthenes Against Leptines, Midias, Androtian, and Aristocrates. London: Henry G. Bohn. p. 276. 
6. ^ ^{a b} Gow, James (1895). Q.horati Flacci Epodon liber. Cambridge: J. and C. F. Clay. p. 52. http://books.google.com/books?id=URY8AAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover. 
7. ^ ^{a b} "Kotys". Theoi Greek Mythology. 2008. http://www.theoi.com/Thrakios/Kotys.html. Retrieved Feb. 4, 2009.