Oschophoria

Oschophoria ( ὀσχοφόρια ) called an Attic Vintage Festival.

The festival was a month Pyanopsion, which should correspond to the September or October, celebrated. The two Oschophoroi, young men carrying bunches, were accompanied by the Deipnophoroi, the bread makers, and a procession. They moved from Athens to the cult statue of Athena Skiras in Phalerum. To celebrate the Oschophoria also included dances and a race. What was the role of the wine god Dionysus at this festival, it is unclear, however, is considered by Plutarch ( Thes. 22-23) as certain that a connection to the Theseus legend and the tribute to Crete was: Theseus had two young men smuggled into the crowd of girls who were to bring to Crete, and there killed the Minotaur. After these two young men had returned safely, they would - initiated the tradition of the procession - in clothing, which had since been prescribed for this festival. The two Deipnophoroi however, symbolized the mothers of the young Crete driver who had brought them food and telling stories, which is why it is also still the custom to tell stories in this festival.