AMPHĬDRŎMĬA

( ἀμφιδρόμια or δρομιάμφιον ἧμαρ ), a family festival of the A then i ans, at which the newly-born child was introduced into the family, and received its name. The friends and relations of the parents were invited to the festival of the amphidromia, which was held in the evening, and they generally appeared with presents. The house was decorated on the outside with olive branches when the child was a boy, or with garlands of wool when the child was a girl; and a repast was prepared for the guests. The child was carried round the fire by the nurse, and thus, as it were, presented to the gods of the house and to the family, and at the same time received its name, to which the guests were witne es. The carrying of the child round the hearth was the principal part of the solemnity, from which its name was derived. IMG:6459379820872971714_ill022a.jpg: Longitudinal Section of the Flavian Amphitheatre. IMG:6459379820872971714_ill022b.jpg: Elevation of one side of the preceding Section.