Arrhephoria
On the Athenian Acropolis two girls aged between seven and eleven were elected to live for a year at a time as arrhephoroi,[2] tending the sacred olive tree and weaving, with the help of other women, the new robe for Athena.Interpretation of the festival is difficult because of the lack of sources, but it is clear that the virginal arrhephoroi are chosen from the noblest families of the city and are deployed in a context of impregnation (dew), sexual power (Aphrodite and Eros), and birth (Erichthonios).Kanephoros were common place in rituals or feasts similar to Arrhephoria as it was a held position of honor in Ancient Athens.[2] Archaeological evidence reveals that from near the Erechtheion a secret stairway led off the Acropolis past a small rock-cut shrine of Eros and Aphrodite, near which was the precinct to which they were going.Aristophanes, in his comic play Lysistrata detailed the stages for the women during this festival:For at seven years or less I became a girl priestess in the Erechthean temple of the Maid; And at ten upon this hill I made flour in the mill.To walk in the procession as the Bear; To complete my perfect score I the sacred basket bore at Athena's feast when I was young and fair.Some who practice Arrhephoria as in the modern day view it as a time to clear room for new things and complete projects in their personal lives.
