![]() In order to draw in other Greeks, the Hieropoioi were then to record the weight of grain received on a board and distribute it to other cities, encouraging them to contribute. So, the inscription insists that the Hieropoioi accept the grain within five days, or otherwise be subject to a substantial fine of 1000 drachmas. There were clearly concerns that some allies might avoid offering grain by claiming that they had come to Athens but never been received by officials there. Sacrifices were to be paid for out of the proceeds from the barley and wheat, votive offerings were to be made to the two goddesses, and the rest of the grain was to be sold. The proposal for the decree came from a special board of 'draftsmen' (syngrapheis), which suggests that the matter was deemed relatively complicated. ![]() It sets out that one six-hundredth of the barley crop and one twelve-hundredth of the wheat was to be offered to the goddesses. Inscription IG I 2 76 shows the provisions made for the offering of first fruits to Demeter and Kore by Athenian demes, Athens' allies and other Greek cities. This is noted in a loan cited in the stone record, of over 20,000 silver drachmas to the city. Cavanaugh who translated stone IG I 3 386–387, argues that there were heavy implications of the funding realized from the First Fruits donations to the temple, in particular that it brought significant impact on Athenian power. In the stone IG I 3 386-387 it can be seen how the finances of the Eleusinian temples worked. Much of this was shown in the temple reports which were carved in stone when the governing body (called the epistatai) of the temple changed hands. This served to enrich Athens and extend her power. Neighboring cities under Athens' control were required to give offerings from their harvests. During times of war or for other necessity the Demos would borrow money from the treasury of the temple. The Demos or voting citizens would control the operation of the temple by elected boards. Under Pericles' rule, it became a way of extending Athens' power. Much of the agricultural offering was sold by the temple with the proceeds being used to pay for the daily upkeep of the temple complex. Except during times of war, this would be a major source of funds for the temples of the Eleusinian goddesses, Demeter and Kore. ![]() In Classical Athens the First Fruits were called an offering of aparche. In classical Greek, Roman, and Hebrew religions, the first fruits were given to priests as an offering to deity.īeginning in 1966 a unique "First Fruits" celebration brought the Ancient African harvest festivals that became the African American holiday, Kwanzaa. Religious offering of the first agricultural produce of the harvest Fruit Basket (painting by Balthasar van der Ast).įirst Fruits is a religious offering of the first agricultural produce of the harvest. ![]()
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