EISITE´RIA
EISITE´RIA (
εἰσιτήρια), sc.
ἱερά,
sacrifices offered upon entrance into office; according to Suidas (s. v.)
upon the first day of the new year, which accordingly was kept as a holiday.
Besides the higher magistrates, the senate offered
εἰσιτήρια through one of its members chosen for the purpose
(Dem.
c. Mid. p. 552.114): the scholiast Ulpian on this
passage appears to have
[p. 1.711]confounded the more solemn
sacrifice on entering office with the daily prayer and sacrifice at the
beginning of each sitting [BOULÉ, p.
313
a]. When an embassy set out, at least on
the most important occasions, the senate and principal magistrates offered
εἰσιτήρια for its success, and dined
together (Dem.
F. L. p. 400.190 = 210). The latter passage,
which has been quoted in favour of the identity of the
εἰσιτήρια and the daily prayers, is in reality decisive
against it : it is quite certain that the senate did not dine every day at a
common table, though the prytanes did. This argument appears to us
conclusive in favour of Schömann's view. The
ἐξιτήρια on going out of office (Hesych.) are less well
attested. (Schömann,
Assemblies, p. 306;
Antiq. 1.379, 409, E. T.)
[
W.W]
