Editing Greek Religion (section)

=== The Thargelia ===
The Thargelia was one of the principal festivals of '''Athens''', dedicated to '''[[Apollo]]''', the god of music, healing, prophecy, and the sun. Celebrated in the month of '''Thargelion''' (roughly May to June), marking the start of summer, the Thargelia was both an agricultural festival, celebrating the ripening of the first grains, and a purification ritual. Its origins are rooted in prehistoric times, and it reflects the community's aspirations for health, fertility, and protection against misfortune. The festival had a dual purpose: it was a time of purification and expiation for the community, as well as an occasion to promote fertility and ensure a good harvest. The Thargelia also celebrated Apollo's birthday, reinforcing the god's significance in Athenian religious and civic life.

The festival spanned two days, each with distinct activities and ceremonies:

# First Day ('''Purification'''): The first day was focused on purification and warding off evil. A key ritual involved the expulsion (or sacrifice) of the '''pharmakoi''', individuals who were chosen to bear the community's ills and sins. These pharmakoi, often slaves or criminals, were led out of the city with symbolic acts of expulsion, such as beatings with green twigs, and were sometimes provided with a meal before being driven away or sacrificed, symbolically carrying away the city's '''miasma''' and misfortune. This act of scapegoating was meant to purify the polis and protect it from harm.
# Second Day ('''Festival'''): The second day was dedicated to Apollo and included offerings and sacrifices to honor the god and ensure his favor. Processions, music, singing, and dancing were significant components, reflecting Apollo's patronage of the arts. The most notable ritual was the offering of the first fruits, particularly the first barley harvest, in the form of two loaves of bread known as the '''Thargelos''', from which the festival takes its name. This offering underscored the festival's agricultural significance and the community's dependence on Apollo's benevolence for fertility and well-being.

While the Thargelia was primarily associated with Athens, variations of the festival were observed in other parts of the Greek world, reflecting Apollo's widespread veneration. The specifics of the celebration could vary, but the themes of purification, expiation, and fertility were common elements.