The Thesmophoria - Scene 2

This scene, adapted from a Classical period Athenian vase painting, commemorates the activities of the second day of the Thesmophoria festival, the day of fasting and mourning known as the Nesteia, 'fasting'. Depicted here is the seated Demeter, who has ceased all vegetation on earth out of grief for her missing daughter. During the festival, the participants reenact Demeter's grief by sitting on beds of reeds and other anaphrodisiac plants and fasting all day.

© 2001 Andrea Koinski and Barbara Olsen. All rights reserved.