Daily Life of the Ancient Greeks

Private Life 149
An andrôn or men’s dining room set up for a symposium. Courtesy of the
American School of Classical Studies at Athens.
strength of the god’s generous gift.” He continues, “Having bowed
three times, they take it from the table, as though supplicating the
god that they may do nothing indecent or have too strong a desire
for the wine.” This toast was followed by three libations, to Zeus
Olympios and the other Olympian gods, to the heroes, and to Zeus
Soter (Savior). While these libations were being performed, a hymn
was sung to the gods. Before the party broke up, a triple paean
or hymn was sung to Apollo. This was followed by a hymn to
Hygieia, the personification of health, which began thus: “Hygieia,
most revered of the blessed gods, with thee may I dwell for the rest
of my life and may you be a gracious inmate of my house.” A purificatory
rite was performed both before the symposium began and
at its close. So ingrained was the sense of religious occasion that
Hesiod, as he sits alone under his shady rock in the heat of summer,
his belly filled with good food, does not omit to perform a libation
before drinking a cup of wine (Works and Days 592ff.).
The Master of Drinking
There were strict rules to which all symposiasts were required to
adhere to ensure that the drinking did not get out of hand. Several