Panathenaea
/ˌpanaθɪˈniːə/Greek History
noun
An important civic festival formerly held annually in Athens in honour of Athene, the patron goddess of the city, including a great procession through the agora to the Acropolis, followed by numerous animal sacrifices.
- Every fourth year (by modern reckoning) the festival was extended (the greater Panathenaea) to include major athletic and musical competitions, open to all Greece; in such years, representatives of all the allies and dependencies of Athens were required to attend the great procession..
Origin
Late 16th century; earliest use found in John Lyly (1554–1606), writer and playwright. From (i) classical Latin Panathēnaea festival at Athens, and its etymon (ii) ancient Greek Παναθήναια, use as noun (short for Παναθήναια ἱερά Panathenian solemnities) of neuter plural of Παναθηναῖος from παν- + Ἀθηναῖος Athenian from either Ἀθῆναι Athens, or Ἀθήνη Athene, the patron goddess of Athens + -ιος, suffix forming adjectives.