festivals in honour of the Eumenides, called by the Athenians εὐμενίαι ἑορταὶ, or venerable goddesses, which were celebrated once every year, with sacrifices of pregnant ewes, offerings of cakes made by the most eminent youths, and libations of honey and wine. At Athens none were admitted but freeborn citizens who had led a life the most virtuous and unsullied.