The origin of Symposia can be traced back to Ancient Greece. The literal meaning of symposium, compound word [โsynโ+โpineinโ], is a gathering of people who drink.
WRITTEN by
Marianna Avouri
In fact, a symposium,ย โsympossioโ in Greek ,ย was a social eventย for the purposesย of drinking, dining andย intellectual discussionย among ancient Greeks.
Symposia go all the wayย back to Greek antiquity.ย Fortunately, over the years,ย there have been numerousย excavation findings whichย have provided us withย a wealth of knowledgeย about them.ย Ancient pots, for instance,ย have been a great sourceย of such information, asย they most often depictedย scenes from daily lifeย and were highly decorated.
Q: Was a symposium a formal type of gathering?
A: Not at all. It was a convivial and casual get-together
Q: What purposes did it serve?
A: It was a key social institution; a forum where people debated, plotted, boasted, or simply reveled with others. They were frequently held to celebrate the introduction of young men into aristocratic society or victories in athletic and poetic contests.
Q:Why was it so popular?
A: Because it was the most important means of socializing at the time, held within every social class. In fact, it was considered one of ancient Greeksโ most favorite pastimes.
Q: What where the basic types of symposia held?
A: There were two main types: individual symposia held for friends and family (much like todayโs dinner invitations) and symposia held by groups (similarly to modern day private membersโ clubs).
Q:Apart from dining, drinking and discussing, what else did they involve?
A: They involved entertainment, which was a key part of it. Usually, a symposium would include music, dancing and acrobats performing.
Q:Did participants also engage in other activities?
A: Yes, they would often play board games or the flute.
Q: Is it true that women were not allowed to participate?
A: Women were strictly forbidden to participate, with the exception of dancers and courtesans.
Q: Which was the most famous symposium of all?
A: The one hosted by the poet Agathon on the occasion of his first victory at the theater contest of the 416 BC, in honor of the god Dionysus.
Q: What was the significance of symposia in the route of history?
A: Symposia, this popular common practice, gave rise to an actual philosophical trend and important literary works, such as Platoโs Symposium, Xenophonโs Symposium and Plutarchโs Banquet of the Seven Wise Men.
