Sources
Help build the largest human-edited directory on the web.
Submit a site - Become an editor
Wikipedia. Licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Are you an expert in this subject? Join the discussion and share your knowledge at Wikipedia.org.
Orgy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. (December 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
An orgy (όργιον) was a secret cultic congregation at nighttime in Ancient Greek religion, overseen by an orgiophant.
Greek όργιον is cognate with έργον "work, effect, [religious] service" (ultimately cognate to English work itself). The term was loaned into English in the 16th century, via the Latinized orgia.
Since the 17th century, due to its connection with Dionysus and the Bacchanalia, the English term orgy could refer to "any licentious revelry", in particular group sex or promiscuity, but the term can also denote other acts which may not include sex. For example an "alcoholic orgy" is an event where people show no restraint in alcohol consumption. This is better known as binge drinking.
An orgion was a secret rite of the Greek Mystery religions, practiced in the worship of Demeter at Eleusis (mentioned in the Homeric Hymn to Demeter) or in worship of Dionysus (Herodotus 2.81), the Cabeiri, Demeter Achaia (Herodotus 2.51, 5.61), Orpheus, Eumolpus, or Cybele.
The term could also refer to rites or sacrifices in general, the verb ὀργιάζω denoting ritual celebration.