Lenaea

[ luh-nee-uh ]

noun

, (sometimes used with a plural verb)

1. a festival in ancient Athens in honor of Dionysus, celebrated at the beginning of February and comprising a public banquet followed by the performance of comedies.

Example Sentences

Its special season was at the festival of the Lenaea, when the Athenians could enjoy the fun against one another without espying strangers; but it was also performed at the Great Dionysia.

From Project Gutenberg

He also posed as an author and patron of literature; his poems, severely criticized by Philoxenus, were hissed at the Olympic games; but having gained a prize for a tragedy on the Ransom of Hector at the Lenaea at Athens, he was so elated that he engaged in a debauch which proved fatal.

From Project Gutenberg

Proclus, Hesychius and Moschopulus tell us that the Lenaea were at some period held in this month; while Proclus, Moschopulus, Tzetzes, and the inscription assure us that there was another festival of Dionysus in this month; and the first three of these authorities name this festival Ambrosia.

From Project Gutenberg

This supposition gives an easy explanation of the repeated reference to Lenaeo as an Attic month, of the change of the name to Gamelio, and even Tzetzes' association of the Pithoigia with the Lenaea,--an association which arises necessarily, if the Lenaea once formed part of the Anthesteria.

From Project Gutenberg

That remnant of the Lenaea in Lenaeo, the Ambrosia, survived till quite late in Attic history.

From Project Gutenberg