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So what is Amphidromia? Amphidromia is a ritual in the ancient Greece. It is practiced by Athenians to name their newly born child on the 5th or 7th day of their birth. However, the first 7 days were solemn and the child will not named on birth as it was believed that most children will die before the 7th day of their life. For the poor, this ritual was held inside the family. For the rich, it was well publicized and many guests were there to witness the naming of the baby and come with gifts which included cuttlefish and marine polyp. The house would be decorate with olive branches outdoors and garlands of wool indoors.

The child would be carried around a fire by a nurse and receive their names witnessed by the guests. The carrying of the child round the hearth was the main part of the ritual