Oltre le Tesmoforie. Spunti di riflessione sul sacrificio al femminile.

This paper focuses on two issues – the sacrifice and the feminine – essential for both Greek society and Classical studies, and on their point of intersection, that is not limited to the Thesmophoria festivals. “Beyond the Thesmophoria” means trying to understand what is, in general and not only in this so specific festive occurrence, the relationship between Greek women and the process of consecration, killing and consumption of the animal victim. So far, mostly the literary and epigraphical data has been considered, but also archaeological documentation can provide a useful contribution to the theme. The bloody sacrifice is considered the highest expression of the Greek religion and is traditionally connoted as masculine, but a large part of the system of votive offerings, also considered essential for establishing a direct relationship with the divinity, is often qualified as feminine. Reflecting on this short circuit male/female, it is possible to rethink the role of the Greek sacrificing woman, trying not to be conditioned by the contemporary ideological debate and the tradition of previous studies.