SCIROPHO´RIA
SCIROPHO´RIA (
Σκιροφόρια), a festival celebrated at Athens on the 12th of
Skirophorion, at which the priestess of Athena and the priests of Poseidon
and Helios, overshadowed by a large white umbrella, proceeded from the
Acropolis to a place called Skiron. According to some, the solemnity was
performed in honour of Athena; according to others, of Demeter and Kore. The
umbrella was the symbol of the protection of the Attic soil against the
scorching heat of the sun, and was carried by the priest of Erechtheus or a
member of the family of the Eteobutadae. (Schol.
ad
Aristoph. Eccl. 18; Harpocrat. pp. 168
and 270;
Paus. 1.36.3; Suid. s. v.
Διὸς κώδιον; Clemens Alex.
Protrept. p. 11: cf. A. Mommsena,
Heortol. p.
440 fol.)
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L.S]
