in antiquity, was a feast celebrated by the Athenians in honour of Bacchus. The most natural derivation of the word is from the Greek ἀνθος (flora), 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 προσταγμα, i.e. opening of the vessels; because on this day they tapped the vessels, and tasted the wine. The second day they called χορεία, corygia, the name of a measure containing the weight of 10 pounds; on this they drank the wine prepared the day before. The third day they called χύται, 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.