Cotyttia Explained

Cotyttia (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Κοτύττια, Kotuttiā) was an orgiastic, nocturnal religious festival of ancient Greece and Thrace in celebration of Kotys, the goddess of sex, considered an aspect of Persephone.^{[1] [2]}

Celebration

Cotyttia originated with the Edones as a celebration of the rape of Persephone.^[2] Throughout Thrace it was celebrated secretly in the hills at night,^{[3] [4] [5] [6]} and was notorious for its obscenity and insobriety.^[7]

Through influence of trade and commerce, the Edonian form of the festival spread to Athens, Corinth, and Chios,^{[1] [2] [6]} where its mark became so pronounced that "companion of Cotytto" became synonymous with "slut".^[5]

In Sicily the rites of Cotyttia were much more mundane, celebrating the waxing aspect of Persephone.^{[2] [7]}

Notes and References

1. Book: Simpson, D. P. . Cassell's Latin Dictionary . 1968 . . U.S.A. . 0-02-522570-7 . 156 .
2. Book: Bell, John . Bell's New Pantheon or Historical Dictionary of the Gods, Demi Gods, Heroes . John Bell (publisher). 2003 . Kessinger Publishing . 0-7661-7834-X . 156 .
3. Book: Verity, A. Wilson . Milton's Arcades and Comus . 1891. . New York . 94.
4. Book: Kennedy, Charles Rann . The Orations of Demosthenes Against Leptines, Midias, Androtian, and Aristocrates . 1856 . Henry G. Bohn . London . 276 .
5. Book: Gow, James . Q.horati Flacci Epodon liber . 1895 . . Cambridge . 52 .
6. Web site: Kotys . Feb 4, 2009 . Theoi Greek Mythology . 2008 .
7. Book: Peck, Harry Thurston . Harper's Dictionary of Classical Literature and Antiquities . Harry Thurston Peck . 1897 . . New York . 421–422 .