ASCOLIASMUS
ASCOLIASMUS (
ἀσκωλιασμός,
ἀσκωλιάζειν, the leaping upon the leathern bag,
ἀσκός) was one of the many kinds of
amusement in which the Athenians indulged during the Anthesteria and other
festivals in honour of Dionysus. The
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Ascoliasmus, dancing on a wine-skin. (From an ancient gem in
Krause.)
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Athenians sacrificed a he-goat to the god, made a bag out of the skin,
smeared it with oil, and then tried to dance upon it. The various accidents
accompanying this attempt afforded great amusement to the spectators. The
competitor who kept his balance longest was proclaimed the winner, and
received the skin as a reward. The game is alluded to by Virgil
(
Georg. 2.384), “mollibus in pratis unctos saluere
per utres.” This term seems also to have included a variety of
other games, the peculiarity of which consisted in hopping or standing on
one leg. (Schol.
ad
Aristoph. Pl. 1129; Plat.
Symp. p. 190, D, E;
[p. 1.210]Pollux, 9.121;
Suid. s.v.
Hesych. sub voce
Ἀσκαλιάζοντες; Aristot.
Incess.
Anim. 4, 8; Ael.
H. V. 3.13; Varr. ap. Non. p.
21; Krause,
Gymnastik und Agonistik d. Hellenen, p. 399;
Dennis,
Etruria, ii. p. 342.)
[
W.S]
