Basilinna

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For the genus of sapphire hummingbirds, see Basilinna (bird).

Basilinna, another title for the queen of Athens, who was married to the Archon Basileus or, king of Athens. During the festival of Anthesteria, the basilinna was given as the ceremonial bride to Dionysus. She was attended to by the fourteen gerarai at this time. This is explained by what happened in the myth of Theseus and Ariadne, where Theseus (soon to be king of Athens) had eloped with the Cretan princess, Ariadne. But, no sooner had this occurred, that Dionysus claimed her as his own. Or, as it is claimed, Ariadne was already betrothed to Dionysus.

[edit] See also

• Anthesteria
• Ariadne
• Gerarai

[edit] References

• Otto, Walter F. Dionysus, Myth and Cult. Spring Publications (1989). ISBN 0-88214-214-3

[edit] External links

• The Anthesteria Bibliotheca Arcana (1997)
• Dionysos at Athens: Tragedy, Comedy, and Cult