Lenaea

American  

[luh-nee-uh] / ləˈni ə /

Also Lenaia

noun

(sometimes used with a plural verb)

1. a festival in ancient Athens in honor of Dionysus, celebrated at the beginning of February and comprising a public banquet followed by the performance of comedies.

---

Example Sentences

Its special season was at the festival of the Lenaea, when the Athenians could enjoy the fun against one another without espying strangers; but it was also performed at the Great Dionysia.

From Project Gutenberg

He also posed as an author and patron of literature; his poems, severely criticized by Philoxenus, were hissed at the Olympic games; but having gained a prize for a tragedy on the Ransom of Hector at the Lenaea at Athens, he was so elated that he engaged in a debauch which proved fatal.

From Project Gutenberg

A tradition running with such persistency through so many authors affords a strong Page 69 presumption that there once existed an Attic month Lenaeo, and that the Lenaea were celebrated in that month.

From Project Gutenberg

Here, or elsewhere, there is mention of but one επι Ληναίω αγων, that is the Lenaea, or the dramatic contest at the Anthesteria.

From Project Gutenberg

The dispute over the number of Dionysiac festivals in the Attic calendar, more particularly with regard to the date of the so-called Lenaea, is one of long duration.

From Project Gutenberg