Canephoros

(Gr. κάνεον, a basket, and φέρω, to bear), among the ancient Greeks, was the person appointed to carry the apparatus used in sacrificing, in a circular basket. The duty was generally assigned to a virgin, who carried the basket on her head to the altar.' In case a private individual offered a sacrifice, this office was performed by his daughter or an unmarried female relative; but in public festivals it was assigned to two virgins of the first Athenian families. A similar custom prevailed in ancient Egypt, and the practice continued in Europe till the 3d century of the Christian aera.