Database: Rituals and Celebrations

Apart from the classic rituals and religious ceremonies, other celebrations took place on Delos. There was, for example, the mysterious "dance of the Crane" which, according to tradition, was initiated by the Athenian mythological hero Theseus on his way back from Crete where he had slain the Minotaur. Worshippers also practiced self-flagellation around the Altar of Horns and the so-called biting of the Olive tree! This kind of celebration was also used by the Athenians to justify their involvement in the management of the sanctuary...