Ascolia

Ascolia, in Ancient Greece, was a feast which the peasants of Attica celebrated in honor of Dionysus. They sacrificed a goat to him, and used its skin to make a football, which was filled with wine. The outside of the skin was made slippery with oil, and children tried hopping on it with one foot. The children falling over entertained the crowds, while the one who succeeded in maintaining an upright position to the end was considered the victor. The chief magistrate, or demarch, of a deme conducted the festival, while the deme paid for the expenses.

References

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