When discussing ancient Greek culture, stories about the Olympic Games, myths, and philosophy often come to mind first. However, symposiums were an equally important part of social life. These were special gatherings that combined communal meals, intellectual conversation, and elements of art. They were a pastime enjoyed over a cup of wine and an important part of the social and cultural life of the polis.

The word symposium literally means ‘to drink together’ in ancient Greek. However, in reality, a symposium meant much more than that. It was a banquet to which friends, colleagues, philosophers and young people were invited to discuss serious issues or entertain themselves, accompanied by wine and rituals.

Symposiums were a sign of the host’s cultural level, and their conduct was accompanied by a special tradition of etiquette. Attic pottery depicts numerous scenes of such gatherings: people reclining on couches, drinking cups, music and dancing. This reflected the nature and meaning of such meetings.

Structure of symposiums

Before the celebration began, the guests invited by the host underwent a preparatory ritual. They were brought into a room with their slaves, where each was given a wreath of ivy, a plant associated with the cult of Dionysus, the god of wine and merriment. The guests then took their places on soft couches, three to each, arranged around low tables.

This was followed by the element that marked the beginning of the entire meal: the guests washed their hands. This was done as a ritual sign of the transition from everyday cares to a time of communication and mutual enlightenment. Then wine was served, which in Greece was almost always diluted with water. Pure wine was considered barbaric, while mixed wine was a sign of civilisation.

Dinner followed. A wide variety of dishes appeared on the tables: from chicken and sliced meat to seafood. Various appetisers and fruit dishes were brought out. At the meal, food was often eaten directly with the hands, and breadcrumbs served as an additional utensil.

The rituals accompanying the meal held a special place. One of them was the libation of wine in honour of Dionysus. This meant that part of the drink was dedicated to the god before continuing with their own feast. Then the participants in the meal cleaned their hands by wiping them with pieces of bread, which were then thrown to the dogs waiting at the edge of the feast.

After the meal, the servants took away the tables, cleared away the leftovers, washed the floor, and again offered the guests water and aromatic oil to refresh them. This transition marked the end of the first phase of the symposium – the meal – and the beginning of the next, much more relaxed phase.

Wine, music and entertainment

Although dinner was an important part of the gathering, the true essence of the symposium was revealed after it. When the spoons and plates were cleared away, the main period of time devoted to wine, songs and conversation began. In many cases, this moment was marked by the performance of panian hymns that accompanied wine drinking. The tables were set again, but this time with light snacks: dried fruit, nuts, cheese and sweets, intended to accompany conversation and drinking.

Wine flowed generously, and during this period the drink was not diluted as much as during the meal. The amount of water was determined by the ‘symposiarch’ – the person who organised the party and set the rules for the evening. Sometimes he was chosen at random, but more often than not he was a trusted figure with taste and experience.

At this point, the symposium turned into what it was remembered for in the ancient world. Musicians, dancers and acrobats were invited to entertain the guests while they sang, conversed and made toasts. Such episodes later became classic scenes on ancient vases and painted artefacts.

Games and competitions: essential elements of the gathering

It is impossible to ignore the entertainment elements, which included the participation of guests in games. One such game was cottabos, in which participants tilted their cups so that the remaining wine flew towards a target. This entertainment combined excitement and dexterity, and spectators often cheered on the performers.

Another important element was skolia – songs that were performed while drinking. Each performance began with one participant, and his interlocutors had to continue the next part of the composition. This combination of music and verbal art reinforced the spirit of communication and aroused excitement in the hall.

Sometimes rhetorical contests were held. Participants engaged in intellectual debates, demonstrating their ability to persuade, argue and maintain a high level of conversation. For this reason, the symposium acquired its modern meaning in English – an event at which speeches of various kinds are delivered.

What symposiums were like during the heyday of Athens

In the 5th century BC, when Athens reached the peak of its political and cultural power, symposiums became increasingly lavish. They were organised by members of the elite and people of varying wealth, depending on the spiritual interests of the host. The purpose remained the same: a communal celebration accompanied by conversation and the enjoyment of wine.

During such periods, the tables were laden with food, including meat dishes, poultry, seafood, sweets and various delicacies. The wine was usually of high quality and was mixed with water in proportions determined by the symposiarch. Such a meal distinguished symposia from ordinary dinners, which were more modest in size and content.

The legacy of the ancient Greek symposium

Symposiums in ancient Greece had a significant influence on subsequent culture, literature and the understanding of public discourse. They became a custom and a source of literary models that have survived to this day.

Today, the word symposium is used in an academic context to refer to conferences and meetings where ideas are discussed. But originally, it referred to a gathering of people who sat around a table, drank wine, talked about important matters, and enjoyed each other’s company.