ANTHESTERIA, in antiquity, was a feast celebrated by the Athenians in honour of Bacchus. The most natural derivation of the word is from the Greek ανθεσ (flor), a flower, it being the custom at this feast to offer garlands of flowers to Bacchus.
The anthesteria lasted three days, the 11th, 12th and 13th of the month; each of which had a name suited to the proper office of the day. The first day of the feast was called ανθεσφειν, i. e. opening of the vessels; because
Anthesterion
Antholyza.
because on this day they tapped the vessels, and tasted the wine. The second day they called χρῶς, congii, the name of a measure containing the weight of ten pounds; on this they drank the wine prepared the day before. The third day they called χῆρ, kettles: on this day they boiled all sorts of pulse in kettles; which however they were not allowed to taste, as being offered to Mercury.