55

This study deals with civic festivals dedicated to the divinities worshipped in the Milesian Pontic colonies and their calendars. Religious festivals celebrated in the Milesian cities of Pontus Euxinus were crucial landmarks for the organization of their calendars. Milesian Pontic cities adopted the cycle of festivities established by Milesian tradition, which unquestionably gave prime place to the cult of Apollo. In Milesian Pontic cities there were celebrations of Taurea (in honor of Poseidon Taureos), Thargelia (in honor of Apollo Thargelios), Metageitnia (in honor of Apollon Metageitnios), Boedromia (in honor of Apollo Boedromios), Pyanopsia (in honor of Apollo), Apatouria (in honor of Zeus Phratrios and Athena Phratria), Lenaia, Anthesteria, and the Great Dionysia (in honor of Dionysos). Most holidays celebrated in the Milesian Pontic colonies were related to traditions of agricultural society. They were held, as everywhere in the Greek world, in the first half of the month, the preferred dates being a full moon and the 1st and 7th of each month.