Festival of Thargelia,
The Thargelia was an ancient Greek festival held on the 6th and 7th days of Thargelion (May–June) to honor Apollo and Artemis.
It combined agricultural thanksgiving with purification rituals.
Artemis (6th Thargelion), as a goddess of purification and protector of youth, rituals on her day included expelling/sacrificing scapegoats (pharmakoi) to cleanse the city of impurities and misfortune, especially by stoning.
These pharmakoi, were mostly slaves, criminals, unliked politicians, cripples and some say even just the two ugliest people around. However, according to some sources, they were well fed and afterwards, their ashes would be scattered to the ocean.
Offerings were also made to honor Artemis role in fertility and vegetation.
Apollo (7th Thargelion), was honored as a god of healing, music, and agriculture. Offerings of first fruits (thargelos) symbolized gratitude for crop protection.
The festival also marked social rites, such as introducing adopted children into families and tribes, symbolizing renewal and protection for the harvest and community.
Hymns & musical contests held, celebrated his patronage of arts and community renewal. And children carried olive branches (eiresione) decorated with wool and fruits to symbolize prosperity.
