APATURIA, an ancient Greek festival which was held annu ally by nearly all of the Ionian towns (Herodotus i. 147). At Athens it took place in the month of Puanepsion (Oct.–Nov.), and lasted three days, on which occasion the various phratries (i.e., clans) of Attica met to discuss their affairs. The name probably means the festival of "common relationship." On the first day, called Dorpia, banquets were held towards evening at the meeting-place of the phratries or in the private houses of members. On the second, Anarrhusis, a sacrifice of oxen was offered at the public cost to Zeus Phratrios and Athena. On the third day, Koureotis, children born since the last festival were presented by their fathers or guardians to the assembled phra tores, and, after an oath had been taken as to their legitimacy, their names were inscribed in the register. It was the custom also for boys still at school to declaim poetry, and to receive prizes.