Cotyttia

Cotyttia (Greek: Κοτύττια, Kotuttiā) was an orgiastic, nocturnal religious festival of ancient Greece and Thrace in celebration of Kotys, the goddess of sex, considered an aspect of Persephone.^[1][2]

Scene on a third-century A.D. sarcophagus depicting an orgia

Celebration

Cotyttia originated with the Edones as a celebration of the rape of Persephone.^[2][3] Throughout Thrace it was celebrated secretly in the hills at night,^[4][5][6][7] and was notorious for its obscenity and insobriety.^[3]

Through influence of trade and commerce, the Edonian form of the festival spread to Athens, Corinth, and Chios,^[1][2][7] where its mark became so pronounced that "companion of Cotytto" became synonymous with "slut".^[6]