The Hyacinthia lasted three days. Their details have been passed down to us through the descriptions in
Athenaeus and
Didymus. The first day was given over to mourning for the death of the
hero: sacrifices were offered to the dead, banquets were stark and without pomp or decoration, and the sacrificial breads were very plain. The second day was one of celebration for his rebirth. The young people played the
cithara and the
aulos, and sang of the glory of Apollo. Others participated in horse races. Numerous choirs competed in town, singing country songs and dancing. Amyclae was also the location of parades of carts decorated by the girls and women of Sparta. Numerous sacrifices were offered, exclusively goats, with the occasion of the κοπίς, kopis, banquets where the citizens invited their friends and relatives. The
helots had the right to participate in the celebrations, as did any foreigners: "They treat not only their countrymen, but any foreigners who happen by" (Athenaeus, IV, 138F). The kopis took place under special tents known as (
skēnaí), a characteristic trait of ancient country festivals. The third day is not described in detail, it is possible that it was more
solemn, or that mysteries were held. It is also known that for this holiday, the Spartan women wove a
chiton ( /
chitōn, or "tunic") which is then offered to the god—a tradition similar to the peplos offered to
Athena at
Athens upon the occasion of the
Panathenaic Games. The Hyacinthia was a major Spartan holiday.
Xenophon, in the
Hellenics IV, 5, 11, reports that the Spartans interrupted their campaigns in order to be able to return to
Laconia so as to participate.
Pausanias writes that they even negotiated a truce especially for this purpose. According to
Thucydides, upon the peace of
Nicias, Athens, in order to prove its good will towards Sparta, promised to assist at the celebrations. ==See also==