Sciadephoria
(
σκιαδηφορία). A service performed at Athens by the
daughters of the resident aliens (
μέτοικοι), who at the
Panathenaea carried the parasols of the Athenian maidens (Pollux, vii. 134). The wives of the
metoeci on the same occasion carried a water-vessel (see
Hydriaphoria), and the aliens themselves vessels
full of cakes and other offerings (
σκαφηφορία) to the
goddess. The duties thus imposed upon the resident aliens and their families were intended to
mark them out as a class inferior in dignity to the citizens. See Schömann,
Ant. Iuris Publici, p. 190; Hermann,
Staatsalterth.. 115, n.
10.