Festivals

Festivals in the context of Classical Civilisation (OCR GCSE) focuses on the religious and civic celebrations of ancient Greece and Rome. These events were central to ancient life, combining worship, competition, and community identity. Key festivals include the Panathenaea in Athens, the Olympic Games, and the Roman Saturnalia. Students explore how festivals reinforced social hierarchies, honoured deities, and provided entertainment, as well as their role in shaping cultural memory and political propaganda.

Understanding festivals is crucial because they reveal how ancient societies expressed their values, beliefs, and power structures. For example, the Panathenaea celebrated Athena's birthday with a grand procession, athletic contests, and a new peplos (robe) for the goddess, showcasing Athenian wealth and civic pride. Similarly, the Roman Ludi (games) were often funded by politicians to gain popularity. Festivals also offer insight into religious practices, such as sacrifice, feasting, and processions, which were integral to maintaining pax deorum (peace with the gods).

This topic fits into the wider OCR GCSE Classical Civilisation syllabus by connecting themes of religion, society, and culture. It complements studies of myth and religion, daily life, and the role of the state. By analysing primary sources like vase paintings, inscriptions, and literary accounts (e.g., Pausanias' description of Olympia), students develop skills in source evaluation and historical empathy. Festivals are a lens through which to understand ancient mentalities, from the competitive ethos of Greek athletics to the Roman emphasis on spectacle and order.