There is a saying that is well known, "What is good for the gander is good for the goose." Ancient Greek religious festivities seem to only concern what is good for the gander, or in their case the men. The Greek civilization was extremely male dominated and Greek religion and its activities are looked upon as being androcentric. Very little is known about women"s festivities in the ancient Greek religion, even though women were prominent in religious activities and had celebrations and festivals of there own. .

             Women very rarely went outdoors, and were confined to their houses. But the aspects of Greek religion that revolved around women and the practices included in them did not refuse their admittance. Many cults had priestesses, and women were normally involved in festivals and sacrifices. Some festivals and gatherings were even reserved for the women (Nilsson 96). Just as men had a great amount of merrymaking, in which they would socialize, so did the women. I plan to show that women did participate in religious festivals and have festivals of their own in ancient Greece, by writing about such festivals and giving specific examples. .

             Quite often women would attend feasts and festivals that were thought to be aimed towards men. Warriors of elite standing established banquets in great halls during the Homeric times. These banquets were held to increase the number of possible allies. Not only did respectable women attend these dining and drinking parties, but they also played some very strong roles at these gatherings. In this next passage, Helen of Troy provides us with a wonderful example of how women played strong roles in parties where men are present. In this case Helen is even using her key role, as hostess, in her favor. .

             "Helen, in her Spartan home after her return from Troy, offers a key example of a woman who actively participates in drinking parties that include male strangers.