Ascolia

(τὰ ἀσκώλια). “The leaping upon the leather-bag” was one of the many kinds of amusements in which the Athenians indulged during the Anthesteria and other festivals in honour of Dionysus. The Athenians sacrificed a he-goat to the god, made a bag out of the skin, smeared it with oil, and then tried to dance upon it (Georg. ii. 384). The various accidents accompanying this attempt afforded great amusement to the spectators. He who succeeded was victor, and received the skin as a reward.