HistoryWalker's First Major Festival - July 25th ~ July 29th 2001 -



M e m o r a b i l i a

| History | BB Procession | Live Procession | Torch Race |
| Poetry Contest | Panathenaia Cup (boat race) | Short Play |

History of Panathenaia

Panathenaia is the biggest festival of classical Athenai. It is thought to be Athena's birthday. Since she's the patron goddess of the city of Athenai her birthday become significant, naturally. It's a good opportunity for the city to show off her power to the other Hellenic cities, too.

The festival's origin dates back to 7 BC or earlier. Probably the procession to present a new dress (peplos) to the goddess existed back then. During 6 BC then-fashionable Olympic styled athletic games were introduced into the religious festival. but it's Peisistratos the tyrant who made it a national spectacular to boost the pride of the citizens (politai) and thus secure his footage by enhancing the procession and by adding more games both athletic and literary. Ironically, though, the festival left an unforgettable mark in the history of Ancient Greece when his son Hipparkhos was assassinated by an aristocratic couple, Aristogaiton and Harmodios, as, mostly for the sentimental reasons rather than for a careful historical consideration, the dawn of Athenian democracy.

The Festival hit the peak under Perikles' reign when he used the birth day of the virgin goddess to impress friends and foes alike. It was during this festival when the fellow cities of Delian League (were forced to) brought their tribute mostly in silver, feeding the Festival and Athenian Naval Empire.

Well, we are not here to argue if it was the ugly tool of their imperialism or the scar of tyranny. The important thing is that at least the citizens of Athenai loved it. How could one resist to the free meal, especially when it's beef, they seldom had a chance to taste?

Like Olympic games, Greater Panathenaia only came around every four years. Lesser Panathenaia, which was celebrated annually except for the year of the Great Panathenaia. What we are going to have this year, of course, is Great Panathenaia. If our first festival ever isn't so great, we'll never have one!

Great Panathenaia had many athletic games as well as musical contest , poetry contest and even boat race. The Panathenaia's unique game must be the torch race, which we are going to have.

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Panathenaia Games and Events at HistoryWalker
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We have following games and events for our Panathenaia. Everyone from every city is invited to join. Major awards and prizes are listed but that's not all. Read the history of the festival for a hint.

Poetry Contest HW Homeros Award (BB) Accepting entries
Judges: Verona, Clymene and Lys

The poem must have a patriotic theme. It doesn't have to be Athenian though. It must be 30 lines are shorter.

The winner will be announced live at Theatre Dionysos just before the play starts. The winner will be asked to read the winning poem on stage (skene) for the audience to enjoy and admire. You don't have to be available for the ceremony to win. If the winner's absent one of the judges will read your poem to the audience. The winner will be posted on the BB, too.

The prizes Winner
HistoryWalker Homeros Award

1000 bonus in the your city's currency

1 year of citizen membership

 Panainos, polites of Athenai, N5 E2

Read Panainos' award winning poem.

Panainos reciting his winning poem at TheatreDionysos before the play
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Boat Race (BB) Wed July 25th to Sun July 29th, 2001
Staff: MDidia and Epistate, judges and race design

Date Time (GMT) Event
Wednesday 25th 11:00am Course description for Race 1 posted by the Judges.
Judges' log
Thursday 26th 11:00pm - 12:00am Contestants must post their Race 1 logs. Judging starts.
Nausicaa's log Race 1
Zealous Zaphyr's log Race 1
Friday 27th 11:00am Judges announce winner of Race 1.
Course description for Race 2 posted by the Judges.
We stop off for the night for repairs, provisions and a party!!!
Saturday 28th 11:00pm - 12:00am Contestants must post their Race 2 logs. Judging starts.
Nausicaa's log Race 2
Zealous Zaphyr's log Race 2
Sunday 29th TBA Overall Winner announced and awards ceremony!

Boat Race is managed solely on BB. The detailed rules can be found here.

Prizes Winners
Panathenaia Cup Team Nausicaa:

Verona, Clymene and MacrinusLivius
1000 bonus in the your city's currency
1 year of citizen membership

Procession 1 (BB) Starts at 0:00 GMT Sat July 28th, 2001

Starting 27th Friday midnight GMT (HW time), post your gift to the goddess on the thread named "Procession" on the athenai BB. It's a great opportunity to show off the dress for the bearer... you, too.

Prizes :
Prizes Who
Panathenaia Goddess' Choice Award

Panainos, polites of Athenai, N5 E2

See the gift Panainos brought for Athene.
1000 bonus in the your city's currency
1 year of citizen membership
500 bonus in the your city's currency 3 winners

Procession 2 (live on map) Starts at 12:00 GMT Sat July 28th, 2001
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Starting at the intersection at N9 W3, join the procession all the way to the Akropolis. Follow the float with the huge peplos (dress) for our virgin goddess. When we pass the Propylaia (front gate of the Akroplis) the float stops in front of the base on which the colossal statue of Athena will be erected. And that's the time it's erected. Witness the goddess come down for us.

Carrying the peplos (clothes) to the Akropolis

Prize(s): All who joins the procession gets a miniature statue of Athena for you to keep as an item absolutely free! You can place it on your lot to add a finishing touch to your already ------ decor or you can sell it later. Limited time offer. Come and get it!
Prize Who
Miniature statue of Athene 		All who join the procession to the Akropolis

Short Play (live at TheatreDionysos) Starts at 22:00 GMT Sat July 28th, 2001

The short play "Aristogeiton and Harmodios" has been written, directed and performed by our talented members.

Story: MDidia

Manager: MDidia

Director: Regan

Souvenir manufacturer: MDidia

Cast:

Souvenir shop is open at Athenai N2 E4.
Poster designed by MDidia

I am so delighted that I was able to be part of the audience (Hint; North side of the theater is the best seat possible). I had a great view! The actors costumes were colorful and outgoing, lines spoken on cue, They had me hanging on to the edge of my seat, story line was tense and exciting! I cried, I gasped, once I even had to cover my eyes! I was in awe through the entire performance, Not to mention that theater itself is absolutely outstanding and comfy, too! It was a long journey from Rome for me, but well worth the trip, I bought me a T-Shirt :-) and I'll rate this one ***** (Play Review, by ArialTheFont)

Torch Race (live on map) Starts at 22:00 GMT Sun 29th, 2001
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Historically speaking, the runner of the torch race bore the sacred fire from the altar of Eros in the Academy to light the torch in front of the altar of Athena. They had to run fast, keeping the sacred fire burning.

HistoryWalkerly speaking, our runners' torch is very pathetic and needing to be fueled rather often as you run your way to the Akropolis. Sometimes replenishing is as easy as cashing your paycheck as the supply is right on your away, open and visible. But as you go on, you may need to do some quest to keep your torch burning.

Detailed Rules

Starting Line: S2,W12 - Look for the white line
Finishing Line: N0,W0 - Look for the two brown squares on top of the steps to the Akropolis.

Result
Sacred fire has been brought to the Akropolis!

Torch Race 2001 photo album - click on the thumbnail to see a large picture
At the start line:
The brief rules were explained just before the start. Notice Maecenas is smiling for the camera.
The race has begun!!:
The sacred torch was lit and all the torch bearers sprang off. The camera caught Circe's incredible start dash.
First Mission:
What the heck are the three colored squares?? Only the runners know...
Oil Hunt:
At this point each runner's torch seemed to be out of fuel and they had to peek into every amphora to get some remaining olive oil in one of them.
Goooooooaaaaaaal!:
Maecenas crossing the finishing line with Helena close behind! That was a close race!

(The blue guy is Anko, a spectator and the creator of the course)

Hero Interview!

- Congratulations, Maecenas! Were you nervous before the start??

Maecenas - Oh, was I nervous?? I had to take a pee right before the start...

- Yes, I remember that! While running were you aware you're the top runner?

Maecenas - I thought so in the beginning, then I saw Clymene in front of me, but I think that's because Clymene didn't turn for the flower?

- Maybe? You were kind of talkative during the race. Did you enjoy running?

Maecenas - I enjoyed it very much. As soon as I saw the flame lit I let go of all nervousity and had a good time through!

How did you get the password right? Did you write it down or just memorized it?

Maecenas - It was easy to remember, cause it almost resembled my local soccer team

- Really? You were blessed by your favorite team then!

- And how about the lily?? Did you have any trouble finding it?

Maecenas - Well, I just ran in top speed, and my computer was kind to me; I didn't have to wait for loading the graphics. (Of course I turned off my virus scanner and other stuff before the race) (but I ran in walk mode)

- You were incredibly fast! OK, congratulations again, Maecenas. Thank you!

Winners :
Maecenas earned:

Panathenaia Hermes Award

1000 bonus in the your city's currency, that's 2 Aurii 12 denarii 2 Sesterii for a Roman.

1 year of citizen membership
HelenaDavisDidius earned:

Panathenaia Hermes Award runner-up

500 bonus in the your city's currency, that's 1 Aurii 6 denarii 1 Sestertius for a Roman.


Last modified: 7/30/01
notice: We can recycle our awards because we created them. In other words, don't try it at home.

2001 © HistoryWalker, Ankohouse and Pallas Design. All rights reserved.