Chapter II

THE ANTHESTERIA. THE RITUAL OF GHOSTS AND SPRITES.

The Anthesteria, ostensibly dedicated to Dionysos, a spring
festival of the revocation and aversion of ghosts. Examination
of the rites of the three days. Meaning of the Chytroi, the
Choes and the Pithoigia. Derivation of the word _Anthesteria_.
Rites of purgation among the Romans in February. The Feralia
and Lupercalia. The ritual of ‘devotion’ (ἐναγισμοί).
Contrast of θύειν and ἐναγίζειν. The word θύειν used of burnt
sacrifice to the Olympians, the word ἐναγίζειν of ‘devotion’
to underworld deities. The ritual of ἀπόνιμμα. Gist of the
word ἐναγίζειν is purgation by means of placation of ghosts.
Contrast of ἱερεῖον, the victim sacrificed and eaten, with
σφάγιον, the victim sacrificed and ‘devoted.’ The σφάγια in
use for the taking of oaths, for purification, for omens, for
sacrifice to winds and other underworld powers. Elements of
‘tendance’ in the ritual of ‘aversion,’ pp. 32-74.