Diabateria

(διαβατήρια). A sacrifice offered to Zeus and Athena by the Spartan kings on passing the frontier of Laconia in command of an army ( Rep. Lac. 13. 2 foll.). If the victims were unfavourable they disbanded the army and returned home ( Thuc.v. 54Thuc., 55Thuc., 116). We also find διαβατήρια offered by a Roman general in passing a swollen river ( Lucull. 24).