Note 320 — Chapter IV · THE WOMEN’S FESTIVALS. Thesmophoria, Arrephoria, Skirophoria, Stenia, Haloa.
Reading edition
Marcellinus on Hermog. in Rhet. Graec., ed. Walz, IV. 462. Sopater, ibid. VIII. 67. Aristoph. Thesm. 80. Dr Frazer kindly suggests to me that the custom of releasing prisoners at the Thesmophoria may be explained as a precaution against the magical influence of knots, fetters, and the like in trammeling spiritual activities whether for good or evil, cf. Golden Bough, 2nd ed. I. p. 392 sqq.