Dionysia (Διονυσία) : die-a-NEE-see-æ

Greek religious festival held in honor of the god Dionysos celebrating the grape harvest and wine. Two festivals: 1. the Greater or City Dionysia celebrated in March/April, and 2. the Lessor or Rural Dionysia celebrated in December/January. The performance of theatre was at the heart of the festival; the Theatre of Dionysos in Athens served as the first and most important of the festival theatres.