Corybantes

The Corybantes were the priests of the goddess Cybele of Asia Minor. They served the goddess in wild ritual dances which resulted in exceptional states of ecstasy, so that they often emasculated themselves. The cult spread throughout Greece and later to Rome as well, where the priests were called Galli.

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References

Sources

  • Aken, Dr. A.R.A. van. (1961). Elseviers Mythologische Encyclopedie. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
  • Bartelink, Dr. G.J.M. (1988). Prisma van de mythologie. Utrecht: Het Spectrum.
  • Horace. Carmina, 1, 16, 8.
  • Lactantius, 1, 13, 5.