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[German version] [1] Deity of the inlet of the same name into Lake Nemi near Aricia Deity (‘Nymph’) of the inlet of the same name into Lake Nemi near Aricia, related to the sanctuary of  Diana there (Str. 5,3,12; Verg. Aen. 7,761-777; Schol. Juv. 3,17). Wife or lover of the Roman king  Numa [1], whom she advised with respect to his cultic arrangements (Dion. Hal. Ant. Rom. 2,60; Ov. Fast. 3,273-299; Plut. Numa 4,2). Ennius already reports that she gave him the ancilia (Ann. 114). A rationalizing reading makes this myth an invention with which Numa legitimized his religious re…

(Ἀρσινόη; Arsinóē). I. Myth [German version] [I 1] Daughter of Leukippos Daughter of Leucippus, sister of the Leucippids, who were abducted by the Dioscuri, she was the mother by Apollo of the Messenian Asclepius (Hes. fr. 50; Apollod. 3,117f.; Paus. 2,26,7; 4,3,2). In Sparta A. had a shrine (Paus. 3,12,8); on the agora of Messene there was an A. spring (Paus. 4,31,6), in the Messenian Asclepieum there was, amongst other things, a painting of A. (Paus. 4,31,11f.). The relationship of the Messenian to the …

This item can be found on the following maps: Theatre | Dark Ages | Oracles | Persian Wars | Aegean Koine | Education / Culture (Δωδώνη; Dōdṓnē). [German version] I. Topography, historical development Sanctuary and settlement in Epirus, 22 km south-west of today's Ioannina in the 640 m high plain of Hellopia beneath the Tomarus [1. 85-87, 92]. D. is the oldest oracle site in Greece attested in literature (myth of its founding in Hdt. 2,54f. [2. 51-54]), already known to the Homeric epics (Il. 16,233-235; Od. 19,296-301). The or…

(Ἀργιόπη; Argiópē). [German version] [1] Nymph Nymph. Rejected by her lover Philammon, she journeys from Parnassus to the Odrysae in Thrace and there gives birth to the singer  Thamyris (Apollod. 1,16; Paus. 4,33,3) [1]. Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) [German version] [2] Thracian wife of Orpheus Thracian wife of Orpheus, for whose sake he enters the Underworld (Hermesianax fr. 7,1-14 Powell). Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) [German version] [3] Daughter of Teuthras Daughter of Teuthras, the king of Mysia, wife of  Telephus (Diod. Sic. 4,33). Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) [German version] [4] D…

[German version] (Ἄμυνος; Ámynos). Athenian god of healing. His domain (Amyneion) with a fountain lay at the southern slope of the Areopagus; the earliest finds date to the 6th cent. According to inscriptional evidence, Asclepius and Hygiea were also venerated in this domain. A cultic organization to venerate ( orgeones) A., Asclepius and Dexion is likewise attested; located nearby was the domain of this hero (under whose name Sophocles was revered due to his reception of Asclepius). Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) Bibliography Kearns, 14-21.

[German version] The autumn; evidence exists for him personified in illustrative art and poetry from the Augustan era onwards, yet without any proven cult. He is usually associated with the  Horae and therefore often represented as feminine. Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) Bibliography L. A. Casal, s.v. A., LIMC 5.1, 819f.

(Ἀπελλῆς; Apellês). [German version] [1] Macedonian Politician, died 218 BC Macedonian, influential confidant of  Antigonus [3] Doson, from 222 BC guardian of  Philippus V. In 219/8, as ‘ traditionalist’, he criticized the Adriatic policy of the king and his pro-Achaean leanings under the influence of  Aratus, against whom he intrigued together with  Leontius and  Megaleas (Pol. 4,76; 82-87). In 218 their plot against Philip V was discovered and A. was executed in Corinth (Pol. 5,2,8; 16; 26-28; Plut. Arat. 48) [1. 167-170]. Günther, Linda-Marie (Munich) [German version] [2] Mace…

[German version] (Λαόγονος/ Laógonos, ‘who grew out of the people's army’). Descriptive name of two Trojan warriors in the Iliad (Hom. Il. 16,303 and 20,460). Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH)

[German version] (Ἀγλαονίκη; Agolaoníkē). Daughter of Hegetor (Plut. Coniugalia praecepta 48,145c; de def. or. 13,417a), a Thessalian, who as witch was not only able to draw down the moon (schol. Apoll. Rhod. 4,59), but was also able ritually to purify the moon when a lunar eclipse occurred (Plut. loc. cit. credits her with rationalizing astronomical knowledge). Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH)

[German version] (Ἀστεροπαῖος; Asteropaîos). Son of Pelegon, grandson of the river god Axius, leader of the Paeonians who were allies of Troy, killed by Achilles. Physically he was the tallest of the Trojans and Achaeans (Hom. Il. 21,140-83; Philost. Heroicus 48,14-22). Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) Bibliography A. Kossatz-Deissmann, LIMC 1. 1, 132, no. 556.

[German version] (Λεύκασπις; Leúkaspis, ‘the one with the white shield’). Repeatedly used name of Greek heroes. L. especially refers to one of the five commanders of the Sicani, who are killed by Heracles and who are honoured cultically (Diod. Sic. 4,23,5); he is portrayed on Syracusan coins from the 5th cent. onwards [1]. The cult of a hero L. is also attested for the Attic deme of Erchia [2], while Virgil uses the name for a drowned Trojan (Verg. Aen. 6,334). Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) Bibliography 1 HN 175 2 LSCG 18 G 50.

(Λάδων; Ládōn). [German version] [1] Dragon The dragon referred to in Apoll. Rhod. 4,1396, elsewhere referred to only as a ‘serpent’ ( óphis, drákōn), who guards the apples of the Hesperides (as also mentioned on Probus in Verg. G. 1,244); he has a hundred heads and many voices. Mythographers have him either be descended directly (as a chthonic beast) from Gaia (as is Typhon) or from related monsters (Phorcys and Ceto, the parents of Echidna and grandparents of the Lernean Hydra in Hes. Theog. 333-335; Echidna and…

[German version] (Ἐλαφηβόλος; Elaphēbólos, ‘Stag Slayer’). Poetic (Anac. fr. 1 Calame; Soph. Trach. 213) and cultic epiclesis of  Artemis. Her feast of Elaphebolia (with characteristic ritual destruction in the Phocian federal sanctuary of Hyampolis, Plut. Mor. 244 BD; Paus. 10,1,6; [1; 2; 3]) and the Athenian month name  Elaphebolion derived from the festival attest to the significance of the association of the goddess with her quarry. The association has been attested in literature since Homer (O…

[German version] (Ἀναιδεία; Anaideía). ‘Indecency’, divine power (Xen. Symp. 8,35; Men. Fr. 223 K., perhaps Soph. fr. 269 = TGF 4,291). According to Theophrastus she had altars in Athens, together with Hybris (Zenob. 43,6, cf. Cic. Leg. 2,28 Contumeliae et Impudentiae fanum): meant are the ‘stone of indecency’ (λίθος Ἀναιδείας, líthos anaideías) and the ‘stone of temerity’ ( líthos Hýbreos) on the Athenian Areopagus, where accusers and the accused (Paus. 1,28,5) gathered. Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) Bibliography C. E. of Erfa, ΑΙΔΩΣ und verwandte Begriffe in ihrer Entwickl…

[German version] (Ἄσκιοι; Áskioi). The ‘shadowless ones’ is the name given to the inhabitants of those zones of the earth, within which the sun on certain days of the year is at its zenith so that the  gnomon does not cast a shadow, such as on the day of the summer solstice in Syene (Poseidon. fr. 115 Edelstein-Kidd); Onesicritus (FGrH 134 F 10) told of such ascia loca in India. In the system formulated by Posidonius (fr. 208 Edelstein-Kidd) the people between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn are called ἀμφίσκιοι ( amphískioi), whereas those between the polar circle and the tropics …

[German version] The Roman goddess of war (from bellum, old form Duellona from duellum; cf. Varro, Ling. 5,73; Ant. rer. div. fr. 189 Cardauns), who stands beside Mars and is relatively independent of him: the devotional formula of P. Decius Mus names her directly after  Ianus who is invoked at each new beginning and the triad of old Roman state gods Jupiter, Mars and Quirinus -- no doubt as the actual female ruler of war (Liv. 8,9,6). In Latium her cult is attested in a 5th-cent. inscription (CIL I2 441) [1], whilst an urban Roman temple to her was vowed by Appius Claudius Caecus …

[German version] [1] Amphinomus and Anapias Pious pair of brothers from Catana (Ἀμφίνομος and Ἀναπίας, Ἄναπις; Amphínomos and Anapías/ Ánapis). Pious pair of brothers from Catana, who during a volcanic eruption of Etna carried their parents from the flames; the lava stream divided in a miraculous manner before them. They were still cultically venerated in the imperial period (Paus. 10,28,4); their statutes stood at the place of this rescue, the ‘Place of the Pious’, eusebōn chṓros. The event is first mentioned by Lycurg. Or. in Leocratem 95, which only mentions a youth…

[German version] I. General Cult encompasses the entirety of ritual tradition in the context of religious practise. Via Christian usage, the term derives from the cultus deorum (‘divine worship’) named already in Cicero, and corresponds to the Greek thrēskeía; like the latter (and the Latin caerimonia, ‘rites’), it can in pagan language stand simply for ‘religion’ in general and thus refer to the absolute predominance in pagan Greek and Roman religion of ritual actions over faith. There, as in the religious cultures of the ancient Mediterr…

[German version] (ἡ λάβρυς; he lábrys) refers to the double-headed axe (Latin bipennis), which has two blades opposite each other; it is a tool as well as a ritual device and religious symbol. The expression, known in Greek only as a Lydian word in a gloss (Plut. Mor. 45,302a), was introduced into scholarly language in the late 19th cent. to refer to the Minoan ritual symbol as well as to indicate its Anatolian origin. In Minoan but more especially in Greek ritual, there is good evidence for the double-head…

[German version] I. Cult and myth J. (rarely Iupiter, archaic Diovis, Umbrian Iupater) is the supreme god of the Roman and Latin pantheon; while in iconography and myth he is identified completely with the Greek  Zeus, he exists in his own right in the cult. Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) [German version] A. Etymology and origin The derivation from * Dieu-pater, i.e. Indo-European * dieu-/ diu- and the invoking pater, is undisputed; it connects him with Greek Zeus (* dieus, vocative Ζεῦ πάτερ) and Old Indo-Aryan Dyaus, and actually denotes the deity of the bright day sky (cf. Latin dies), indica…

[German version] (Λήϊτος; Lḗïtos). Son of Alector [4], a Boeotian hero; he has a tomb and cult in Plataeae (Paus. 9,4,3). He is integrated into several Panhellenic narrative cycles: he is one of the leaders of the Boeotians outside Troy, distinguishes himself occasionally and is wounded slightly - in the battle for the corpse of Patroclus - by Hector, returns to his homeland; he wooes Helene [1] and takes part in the expedition of the Argonauts (Hom. Il. 2,494; 17,601; Eur. IA 259; Catalogues: Apollod. 1,113; 3,130). Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) Bibliography W. Kullmann, Die Quellen der I…

[German version] Descendant of the Athenian king Codrus. Was brought to the city of Phocaea, together with the Codrideans Deoites and Periclus, from Erythrae and Teos, because the Ionians did not want to accept Phocaea in the Ionian league until it had Codrians as kings (Paus. 7,3,10). The myth legitimated the claim of Athens to hegemony over Ionia. Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) Bibliography A. Sakellariou, La migration grecque en Ionie, 1958, 238, n. 3.

[German version] (Ἄλκανδρος; Álkandros). Suggestive name (‘strong man’), which was given to various historical and mythical persons. Important points are: a) in the Lycurgus myth he strikes out an eye of Lycurgus in anger (aition for the cult of Athena Opilletis, Plut. Lycurgus 11,2-8; Paus. 3,18,2); b) in Lebadeia he is venerated as the son of Trophonius and as a saving hero, to whom one sacrifices before the katabasis (Paus. 9,39,5). Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH)

[German version] I. Ancient Orient, Egypt, Old Testament In the ancient Orient, the curse is considered to be a magically effective utterance by which the speaker destroys enemies or objects of their sphere, excludes them from the community or at the very least reduces their vitality. How effective this is depends upon the status of the speaker, the social context and the use of set phrases. There is no evidence of colloquial curses in the Near East and hardly any from Egypt. In the Near East set curse phrases are preserved from the mid 3rd millennium onward i…

[German version] (Ἀστυάναξ; Astyánax). Son of  Hector and  Andromache; called Scamandrius by his parents, and A. (‘lord of the town’) by the Trojans in honour of Hector (Hom. Il. 6,402f., 22,506f.). According to the Ilioupersis, the young A. was hurled from the walls of Troy -- the Achaeans making the decision to do this (Paus. 10. 25) -- to ensure that he could not grow up to take revenge on the conquerors (Clem. Al. Strom. 6,2,19); Stesichorus recounts the same story (fr. 25 PMG). The tragic poet used by Accius in his A. has the seer Calchas give the order to murder A. in order to g…

(Ἀντίμαχος; Antímachos). [German version] [1] Trojan, opponent of Antenor Trojan, opponent of  Antenor. When, before the war, Menelaus and Odysseus demanded the return of Helen in Troy, he advised, contrary to custom and tradition, killing the envoys (Hom. Il. 3,205; 11,138). Later, bribed by Paris, he prevented the handing over of Helen, then under consideration by the Trojans (Hom. Il. 11,123 ff.). His three sons were killed by the Greeks (Hom. Il. 12,188). Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) [German version] [2] Two Indo-Greek kings in the 2nd cent. BC Two Indo-Greek kings in the 2nd c…

[German version] In the records of the   Arvales fratres of the year 183 in the lists of sacrifice receivers, Adolena, Commolenda, Deferunda appear twice (8 February, 13 May); in those of the year 224 Admetus and Coinquenda [1]. Each time the sacrifice is a lustrum missum, the one offered in the year 183 is for the removal ( deferre), splitting up ( commolere) and burning ( adolere) of the fig tree growing on the roof of the temple of Dea Dia, which was damaging the roof; the one in the year 224 is for the hacking up ( coinquere) and burning of those trees struck by lightning in the grove. Since Marini […

[German version] (ἱερομνήμονες; hieromnḗmones, singular hieromnḗmōn, ἱερομνήμων). Religious officials with wide-ranging duties. Aristot. Pol. 6,5, 1321b 35 counts them, together with mnḗmones, epistátai et al., as archives officers; Plut. Symp. 8,8,4 attests the title for the priests of  Poseidon Phytalmios in Leptis; this is an isolated instance. The copious epigraphical evidence shows that the hieromnemones in some places really were archivists, frequently organized festivals, conducted temple finances or looked after temple property; prominent hieromnemones were t…

(Ἄγριος; Ágrios), ‘the wild’. [German version] [1] Mythical Calydonian Calydonian, son of Porthaon and Eureite (Hes. fr. 10a 49; Euryte: Apollod. 1,63), brother of Melas and Oeneus (Hom. Il. 14,117; about this Alcathous Hes. fr. 10a 52 f.; cf. Apollod. loc. cit.). He dethrones Oeneus, is expelled by Diomedes and kills himself (Hyg. Fab. 175, 242); after others his sons too are the usurpers and are killed by Diomedes (Apollod. 1,77-8; Ant. Lib. 37) [1]. Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) [German version] [2] Son of Odysseus and Circe Son of Odysseus and Circe, brother of Latinus and toge…

(Ἄτυς; Átys). [German version] [1] Lydian proto-king Lydian proto-king, son of Manes and brother of Cotys. His sons are Lydus and Tyrsenus, the eponyms of the Lydians and Etruscans (Dion. Hal. Ant. Rom. 1,27, cf. Hdt. 1,7; 94). A. is related to the god  Attis of Asia Minor, just as Cotys is with the Thracian goddess Cotys (Kotytto). Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) [German version] [2] Son of the Lydian king Croesus Son of the Lydian king  Croesus. His violent death in the boar hunt on Mysian Olympus is stylized according to the manner of the Attis myth. Hdt. 1,34-45, ho…

[German version] (Ἀδρανός) City deity of the Sicilian city of the same name. Founded by Dionysius I, with temple and dog sacrifice (Diod. Sic. 14,37,5; Ael. NA 11,20). According to coin evidence, A. is a river god [1]. Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) Bibliography 1 B. V. Head, Historia Numorum, 1911, 119.

[German version] (λαμπαδηδρομία/ lampadēdromía, schol. Aristoph. Ran. 131; Ionian λαμπαδηφορίη/ lampadēphoríē, Hdt. 8,98; more commonly λαμπάς/ lampás since Hdt. 6,105; Pl. Resp. 328a and inscriptions) is the cultic agōn (contest) of the torch race, which was mostly performed as a relay race. In addition there were individual races, and in the cult of Bendis at Athens, a spectacular horse race. The ritual goal of the lampadedromía was ultimately the renewal of the fire; for this reason it always began at important altars. In antiquity, this renewal was unders…

[German version] (ἐπιφάνεια; epipháneia, ‘manifestation, appearance’) refers to the manifestation of a deity in a spontaneous vision, or during an actual ritual process ( Ecstasy), as well as in stories; such appearances are the essence of superhuman beings. Because divine existence mainly manifests itself in the active help given to human beings, deities, who had been helpfully present, were from the Hellenistic period onwards denoted with the  epiclesis ‘becoming apparent’ (ἐπιφανής,   epiphanḗs , Lat. praesens). Epiphany seems to have played an important role withi…

[German version] (Ἴακχος; Íakchos). One of the deities of the Mysteries of  Eleusis [1]. I. is the personification of the ecstatic cultic cry ( íakchos, onomatopoetic) by the participants in the Mysteries during their procession from Athens to the Eleusinian sanctuary where they underwent initiation into the mysteries (Hdt. 8,65; Aristoph. Ran. 316-353). His image, which was kept in a temple of Demeter, Kore and I. by the Pompeion at the Sacred Gate (Paus. 1,2,4, probably identical with the Iaccheion Plut. Aristides 27,4), was carried ahead of this procession by the iakchagōgós (‘lead…

(Ἀπόλλων [ Apóllōn]; Latin: Apollo). A., the eternally youthful Greek god of healing, divination, music and ephebes, worshipped as A. in Rome since the early 5th cent. BC and referred to as Aplu in Etruscan written records. From the earliest literary sources, he was always referred to as the son of Zeus and Leto, the younger twin brother of Artemis. The very widespread use of theophoric proper names in every era demonstrates his great popularity and the extent to which he was known. [1]. [German version] A. Etymology The etymology of the name -- the search for the origins and prima…

(Ἀρηίθοος; Arēíthoos). [German version] [1] Arcadian hero Arcadian hero whose weapon is an iron club. Nestor tells how he killed the Arcadian  Ereuthalion, who carried A.s' club;  Lycurgus had taken it from A. in a narrow pass and given it to his follower Ereuthalion (Il. 7,137-150). Pausanias saw his grave in a narrow pass near Mantinea (8,11,4). Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) [German version] [2] Club-carrier from Arne Shortly prior to this, but unconnected to Nestor's story, Menesthius is mentioned as son of A. the club-carrier from Arne, who was shot by Paris (…

(Ἀλκαῖος; Alkaîos). The suggestive mythological name ( alkḗ, ‘strength’) is connected with Hercules. [German version] [1] Grandfather of Hercules Grandfather of Hercules, son of Perseus and Andromeda, husband of Astydameia, the daughter of Pelops, father of Amphitryon and Anaxo (Hes. Sc. 26; Schol. Eur. Hec. 886). Also the form of the name Alceus appears to be attested, which is more compatible with the patronymic Alcides. Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) [German version] [2] Original name of Hercules Original name of Hercules, altered at the command of the Delphic Oracle (Di…

[German version] Wife of Latinian king Latinus, mother of Lavinia. She opposes the marriage of her daughter to Aeneas, because she favours her nephew Turnus (Serv. Aen. 7,366), and is thus partly responsible for the war against Aeneas (Dion. Hal. Ant. Rom. 1,64,2; Verg. Aen. 7,56 ff.; Origo gent. Rom. 13,5). Because she prematurely regards Turnus as dead, she commits suicide by hanging (Verg. Aen. 12,595 ff.) or starvation (Fabius Pictor ap. Serv. Aen. 12,603; HRR fr. 1, S. 112 no. 1). She either blinds or kills both her sons, because they supported Aeneas (Serv. Aen. 8,51). So the tra…

(Ἀλκυονεύς; Alkyoneús). [German version] [1] Figure of Greek myth: Giant Giant. He is regarded as the oldest (Lyr. adesp. 985 PGM), is domiciled in Pallene (loc. cit.) and does not die, as long as he remains in contact with his native soil. Thus, in the Gigantomachy, following Athena's suggestion, Hercules has to drag him away so as to be able to kill him (Apollod. 1,35 f.). On the Pergamum altar frieze Athena herself is dragging the winged A. away by the hair. It is said that he is buried under Vesuvius (Claud. Rapt. Pros. 3,185); the Neapolitans displayed his bones (Philostr. heroicus 9,15). I…

[German version] Hymn used by the   Arvales fratres to accompany their dance ( tripudium) for  Dea Dia and  Mars (CLE 1). Whilst its earliest transmission is an inaccurate inscription from AD 218 [1. 644-64], the text does preserve some characteristics of the early language (Lases without changing the intervocalic -s- - > -r-). In its substance, it must precede quite substantially the early Augustan reform of the cult, even if it was developed under Greek influence [2]; in any case, it is unlikely to be an archaistic creation of the middle Impe…

[German version] (Λευκοφρυήνη; Leukophryḗnē). Epiclesis of Artemis of Magnesia on the Maeander, the chief goddess of the city; after an epiphany in the mid 2nd cent. BC, an impressive temple was built for her (Vitr. De arch. 3,2,6), a new cult statue was solemnly erected [1], a trans-regional festival with agon was inaugurated [2] and the sanctuary was given the right to give asylum (Tac. Ann. 3,62,1). At the same time L. is the name of the heroine (thus derived), who (as is often the case) is bur…

[German version] In the strict sense, this is the ritual driving out of a demon ( Demons), who is causing an illness in the person possessed. The process primarily involves the use of verbal rites (ἐπῳδαί, carmina) (Isid. Orig. 6,19,55: sermo increpationis in diabolum ut excedat): the exorcist makes verbal contact with the demon and forces it to leave the person. The Greek root ἐξορκίζειν ( ex(h)orkízein), which originally merely meant ‘to swear’ (dating from Demosthenes; ἐξορκισμός; ex(h)orkismós, ‘oath’, Pol. 6,21,6), is understood in this context as ‘to conjure out’. In this sens…

[German version] [1] Military see  Ensigns Ego, Beate (Osnabrück) [German version] [2] Science See  Eagle; see  Constellations Ego, Beate (Osnabrück) [German version] [3] Proselyte from Sinope, Bible translator Proselyte from  Sinope, translated the Hebrew Bible into Greek ( c. AD 130). The source language orientation of the work stands in the foreground to the extent that many passages remain incomprehensible without knowledge of the Hebrew original. Specifically Hebraic syntactical structures are imitated, Hebrew concepts are repr…

[German version] (Ἀονίη; Aoníē). Region of Boeotia, site of the Helicon, named after the ancient people of the Aones and their eponym Aon, the son of Poseidon (Schol. Stat. Theb. 134). In Greek-Hellenistic and especially in Roman poetry, derivations from this are used as learned designations for Boeotia (Callim. Fr. 2a 30 with schol.; Verg. Ecl. 6,65), Thebes (Call. h. 4,75 with Schol.), for Helicon (Verg. G. 3,11) and the associated spring of Aganippe (Verg. Ecl. 10,12) and also for the Muses (Ov. Met. 5,333). Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH)

[German version] (Αὔσων; Aúsōn). Son of Odysseus (or Atlas) and Circe (or Calypso). First king of the  Ausones (Serv. Aen. 3,171; 8,328 a.o). Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH)

[German version] A. Cult in early Italy Italian goddess who was connected especially with grain, as well as with the realm of the dead and who was equated early in Roman history with the Greek Demeter. Numerous inscriptions prove the cult's existence in central and southern Italy from the late 7th cent. BC onwards. Wherever it is possible to ascertain details, she is especially associated with grain (Faliscan inscription from the period about 600 [1. 241; 2. 43], Paelignian inscription from Corfinium [1. 204; 3], Oscan tablet from Agnone c. 250 BC [1. 147; 4], bust from Aricia w…

(Ἰόλαος; Iólaos). [German version] [1] Nephew of Heracles Nephew of  Heracles, son of the latter's half-brother  Iphicles and the (shadowy) Automedusa. He accompanies Heracles on practically all his adventures (mainly as chariot driver), becomes the first Olympic champion (image in Olympia, Paus. 5,17,11), receives  Megara as wife from Heracles and finally kills  Eurystheus in Attica (Paus. 1,44,10, grave), for which he was specially rejuvenated for one day (Eur. Heracl. 843-863, perhaps following Aesch…

(Ἀστερίων; Asteríōn). [German version] [1] Mythical king of Crete Cretan king, who married  Europa and adopted her children by Zeus (Hes. fr. 140; Bacchyl. fr. 10; Apollod. 3,5; 8). Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) [German version] [2] The Minotaurus Son of Pasiphae with the Cretan bull, thus  Minotaurus (Apollod. 3,11; Paus. 2,31,1). Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH)

[German version] (rarely, Larentina). Elusive figure of myth and cult in Rome; whether she is identical with the Mater Larum (also revered by the Arval priests), is disputed [9. 587-595; 10]. Her aetiological myth has come down in two versions and an extension (synthesis in the Fasti Praenestini, cf. Plut. Romulus 4 f.; qu.R. 35,272 ef; [1]): 1. At the time of Ancus Marcius the aedituus of Hercules plays dice with his god for a meal and a woman; the aedituus loses and brings the prostitute Acca La…

[German version] (ἱερόδουλοι; hieródouloi, ἱεροὶ δοῦλοι; hieroì doûloi). Literally, ‘temple slaves’; in ancient life they were, first, persons who (like land) were the property of a temple but not cultic personnel, second, persons who were donated as slaves (and often as cultic personnel) to the temple, and third, slaves who achieved partial or complete freedom through transfer to a deity (sacred  manumission). In modern terminology the holy prostitutes stand in the foreground ( Prostitution), as attes…

(Γίγαντες; Gígantes). [German version] I. Mythology Giants are usually huge, clumsy beings from primeval times; according to the commonest myth, the  Gigantomachy, they attempted unsuccessfully to deprive Zeus and the Olympians of power. In Homer the Giants are a lawless and arrogant marginal people destroyed because of their king  Eurymedon (Hom. Od. 7,59-61); they settled close to the  Cyclopes and  Phaeaces (Hom. Od. 7,205f.). According to Hesiod, during the castration of  Uranus, drops of blood fa…

[German version] (Ἀρέστωρ; Aréstōr). Son of Phorbas, great-grandson of Argus [1], father of Argus [2] by Mycene (Hes. fr. 246; Pherecydes FGrH 3 F 66 f.). The Argives are called Arestoridae after him (Kallim. h. 5,34). Another version of his lineage is that he is the son of Ecbasus, the grandson of Argus [1] and father of Pelasgus and Io (Charax FGrH 103 F 13, 15). The variants demonstrate that he is the product of systemizations of family trees rather than an actual independent character [1]. Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) Bibliography Ed. Meyer, Forsch. zur Alten Gesch., 1, 92-94.

[German version] (Ἀγαθὸς Δαίμων, also Agathodaímōn). As ‘good deity’ a deity of blessing especially of private worship, often connected with Agathe  Tyche (Ἀγαθὴ Τύχη) [1], as guardian of individual visitors of the oracle in the sanctuary of Trophonius (Paus. 9,39,5); where Agathos Daimon (AD) is specified this does not happen uniformly. In Greek households AD was given a gift of pure wine after each meal (Aristoph. Equ. 105-107; cf. Vesp. 525), had home altars [2] in the Hellenistic period and could…

[German version] (Ἑλλωτίς; Hellōtís). Epiclesis of  Athena in Marathon and Corinth, as well as the name of a goddess in Crete identified with  Europe [2]. In Marathon a sanctuary (Ath. 15,22,678b; schol. Pind. Ol. 13,56ad) and sacrifices (LSCG 20) are attested; the epithet is derived from a local swamp (Greek hélos). In Corinth the festival of Hellotia is celebrated for Athena H. with an agon (Pind. Ol. 13,40, according to schol. ad loc. a torch race of young men); the aetion derives the cult either from Athena capturing Pegasus (Greek heleín) and bridling him here - more commonly as…

[German version] (βασιλίννα; basilínna, ‘queen’) is the designation for the wife of the Athenian  Archon Basileus (‘king’) who is considered to be the democratic successor in the sacred duties of the king (Aristot. Ath. Pol. 3 on the origin; 57 on the duties). She must be a citizen of Athens and a virgin at the time of marriage. Her sacred duties include secret rites in the Dionysus cult, particularly at the Anthesteria, which she conducts with the gera(i)rai (‘aged women’ or ‘venerable women’). In the context of these rites, she is given to  Dionysus as wife. More impor…

(Γόρδιος; Górdios). [German version] [1] Mythical founder of the Phrygian state Mythical founder of the Phrygian state and eponymous hero of its capital  Gordium. When birds flew around him as he was ploughing, he wanted to find out the significance of the sign from the seers in the city. A beautiful girl from a family of seers whom he asked for information at the city gate interpreted the sign as a promise of royal honour and offered to marry him. In order to end a civil war, the  Phrygians followed Zeus'…

(Ἀλκιμένης, Alkiménēs). [German version] [1] Figure of Greek myth: brother of Bellerophontes Brother of Bellerophontes, also Peiren or Deliades, was killed by his brother, providing the reason for the flight to Argus (Apollod. 2,30; Tzetz. Lycophr. 17). Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) [German version] [2] Figure of Greek myth: son of Jason and Medea Son of Jason and Medea, brother of Teisander, both of whom were killed in Corinth by Medea; only Thettalus, A.'s twin brother, escaped. Both of these are buried in the Temenus of Hera and were venerated as heroes (Diod. Sic. 4,54,1; 4,55,1 f.). Gra…

[German version] (τὰ Γενέσια; tà Genésia). Name of a Greek family festival in honour of a dead ancestor (Hdt. 4,26). In Athens, it became ─ allegedly at Solon's instigation ─ a public festival of the dead, the celebrations of which on the 5th Boedromion also included a sacrifice to  Gaia (Philochorus FGrH 328 F 168). Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) Bibliography F. Jacoby, Γενέσια. A forgotten festival of the dead, in: CQ 38, 1944, 65-75.

[German version] In the tradition set by Virgil I. is the only son of  Aeneas and  Creusa of Troy, progenitor of the Roman gens Iulia; in Troy he is called Ilus, later Ascanius (Aen. 1,267f.). The name Ascanius for a (usually the eldest) son of Aeneas first appears after Homer (in Homer two confederates of the Trojans have this name, Hom. Il. 2,862 from Ascania in Phrygia; 13,790), both in founding legends (Hellanicus FGrH 4 F 31; Dion. Hal. Ant. Rom. 1,54,2), which rule out his arrival in Italy, as in the account of A…

(ἠχώ; ēchṓ). [German version] [1] Origin and propagation of sound The origin and propagation of sound is explained as (contiguous) air moved by a blow ( Acoustics); its reflection within a sound box (reverberation) or on a suitable, usually a smooth object, conceived of as reversal (resounding, echo), is also included in this explanation (Theophr. de sensu 9 [Empedocles], 53 [Democritus]; Aristot. An. 2,8, 419b 25ff., Probl. 11,6,899a 24-25 and 11,8,899b 25ff., probably after Aristoxenus; Lucr. 4,572-594)…

(NYC). The beginning of the year was variously fixed in different local or supra-regional calendars. It was oriented, as far as we know, towards agricultural patterns connected to the time of the year (especially sowing in the spring and harvest in the autumn). The beginning of the year was connected with administrative measures (e.g. raising taxes). Spring and autumn received particular consideration in the festival calendar because of their significance within the agrarian cycle. Because in re…

[German version] (Ἀκιδαλία). Venus is called Acidalia mater (Verg. Aen. 1,270, according to Serv.) after a spring at Orchomenus, where the goddess bathed with the Charites. Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH)

(ἀμβροσία; ambrosía, ‘immortal’). [German version] [1] One of the Hyads One of the Hyads. They are daughters of Atlas and Pleione, they cared for the child Dionysus (Pherecydes FGrH 3 F 90) either in Nysa (Hyg. Fab. 182) or in Thrace, from whence they flee from Lycurgus to Thetis; except for A. (Asclepiades FGrH 12 F 18); Ge (Gaea) supposedly changed them into a vine (Nonnus, Dion. 21,17). Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) [German version] [2] Nourishment of immortality The nourishment of immortality, comparable to the amṛta of Indian mythology. Gods use it as food and as a cosmetic (H…

[German version] (Ἀρκείσιος; Arkeísios). Father of Laertes (Hom. Od. 4,755), grandfather of Odysseus (Od. 14,182). Son of Zeus (Ov. Met. 13,144; Schol. Od. 16,118) or of Cephalus (who gave his name to the Cephallenians) and a she-bear ( árktos), who transformed herself into a woman (Aristot. fr. 504 Rose). Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) Bibliography L. Radermacher, Mythos und Sage bei den Griechen, 21938, 264.

(Ἀγκαῖος; Ankaîos). [German version] [1] Son of Lycurgus of Tegea Son of Lycurgus of Tegea, brother of Epochus (Paus. 8,4,10), father of Agapenor (Hom. Il. 2,609). An Arcadian, the strongest hero after Hercules; his weapon is the double-axe (Apoll. Rhod. 2,118; bipennifer Ov. Met. 8,391). He participates in the Argonauts' campaign (Apollod. 1,163 f.) and in the Calydonian hunt, where he is torn apart by the boar (Apollod. 1,68; Paus. 8,4,10; Ov. Met. 8,315; 391-402). His death was portrayed by Scopas in the gable of the temple of Athena Alea (Paus. 8,45,7). Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) …

[German version] (ἀνθρωποφαγία/ anthrōpophagía, ‘the eating of humans’) appears in ancient myths and ethnographical reports. It was something that took place, in contrast to the here and now, either in the past or on the borders of the known world among ethnic groups who did not share the same basic values of Greek culture. It is also identified, in Dionysian myths, as the crossing of the limits in  ecstasy [1; 2]. In this structure, ancient reports coincide astoundingly with those of the modern age [3]. The Cyclops  Polyphemus, who is generally portrayed in the ‘Odyssey’ as the…

[German version] (Ἐπώνυμος; Epṓnymos), also eponym or eponymous hero, refers to a mythical character, whose name was given to a tribe, a town or settlement, or another group of people, or a mountain range. The Greek word eponymos in the sense of ‘name giving’ is particularly well documented in references to the heroes of the ten Attic phyles, whose images were displayed on the agora (decree in And. 1,83; Paus. 1,5,1); in the (passive) sense of ‘name bearing’, it is evident from Aesch. Supp. 252 for this very phenomenon ( Pelasgus). The phenomenon is as old as the earliest references …

(Ἡρακλῆς; Hēraklês). [German version] [1] Greek hero The most prominent Greek hero ( Hero cult) in myth and cult. In his myths, which have not resulted in any outstanding work of poetry that is focussed on him, he is connected especially to Thebes, Argos and the countryside around Trachis; in the cult he is honoured almost panhellenically, without any place being able to display a hero's grave. Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH) I. Cult and Myth [German version] A. Name His name was connected with  Hera's already in antiquity: it follows the customary formation of Greek anthropo…

[German version] (Ἀκανθώ). In the catalogues of divine homonyms (Cic. Nat.D. 3,54; Arnob. Adv. nat. 4,14) mother of the fourth Helios, the father of the Rhodian eponyms Ialysus, Cameirus, Lindus. The catalogues are the result of an attempt to unify the various mythical traditions: behind this activity lies local Rhodian epic. Graf, Fritz (Columbus, OH)

(Ἀφαρεύς). [English version] [1] Sohn des Perieres und der Gorgophone Sohn des Perieres und der Gorgophone, Tochter des Perseus. Als König der Messenier gründet er Arene bei Pylos, das er nach seiner Frau, der Tochter des Oibalos und seiner Halbschwester, nennt. Er nahm Neleus auf und gab ihm Pylos, wurde von Lykos, dem Sohn des Pandion, in den Kult der “Großen Götter” von Andania eingeweiht (Paus. 4,2,4-6); hier spiegelt sich athen. Propaganda. Er nahm auch Tyndareos bei sich auf (Paus. 3,1,4). Seine Söh…

[English version] (Ἰάλεμος). Sohn des Apollon und der Muse Kalliope, somit Bruder mehrerer mythischer Sänger: des Hymenaios, Linos, Orpheus (schol. Eur. Rhes. 985). Wie Hymenaios Personifikation des Hochzeitslieds und Linos der Totenklage ist, so ist auch I. Personifikation der Totenklagen, die dichterisch iálemoi heißen. Der Mythos drückt die Beziehung entweder dadurch aus, daß I. früh stirbt und damit zur Totenklage Anlaß gibt (wie Linos) (Pind. fr. 139,8) oder daß I. das Klagelied erfindet. Gelegentlich wird er überhaupt mit Linos gleichgesetzt (schol. Eur. Or. 1390). Graf, …

(Ἀλεκτρυών, “Hahn”). [English version] [1] Ares' Aufpasser beim Zusammensein mit Aphrodite Ares' Aufpasser beim Zusammensein mit Aphrodite. Als A. den Morgen verschlief, entdeckte Helios die Liebenden und verriet sie an Hephaistos. Ares verwandelte A. in einen Hahn (Lucian. Gallus 3; Auson. 26,2,27) [1]. Graf, Fritz (Princeton) [English version] [2] Figur der Argonautensage, Vater des Leitos Vater des Leitos (Hom. Il. 17,602), Argonaute (Apollod. 1,113). Graf, Fritz (Princeton) Bibliography 1 C. Robert, Alektryon, in: Hermes 37, 1902, 318-320.

(Ἰκάριος). [English version] [1] att. Heros Att. Heros, dessen Kult (wohl im Demos Ikaria) bereits im 5. Jh. belegt ist (IG I3 253, 6.9); Opfer an ihn, seine Tochter Erigone [1] und ihren Hund erwähnt Ail. nat. 7,28. Sein Mythos ist seit der nur frg. erh. ‘Erigone des Eratosthenes in verschiedenen Brechungen bekannt (Hyg. astr. 2,4; Apollod. 3,192f. usw.). Der Gott Dionysos kehrt bei I. ein, wird von ihm bewirtet und gibt ihm zum Dank den ersten Wein. Als I. diesen ungemischt seinen Nachbarn kredenzt, werden sie be…

[English version] (Ἐλαφηβόλος, “Hirschtöterin”). Poetische (Anakr. fr. 1 Calame; Soph. Trach. 213) und kult. Anrufung der Artemis. Ihr Fest der Elaphebolia (mit charakteristischem Zerstörungsritual im phokischen Bundesheiligtum von Hyampolis, Plut. mor. 244 BD; Paus. 10,1,6; [1; 2; 3]) und der in Athen vom Fest abgeleitete Monatsname Elaphebolion belegen die Bedeutung der Verbindung von Göttin und Jagdtier. Die Verbindung ist lit. seit Homer (Od. 6,104) und den Mythen um Iphigeneias Opfersubstitut…

(Ἀλκαθόη, Ἀλκιθόη). [English version] [1] Figur des griech. Mythos: eine der Minyaden Eine der Minyaden, zusammen mit Leukippe und Arsinoe Tochter des Minyas von Orchomenos. Ihr Mythos gehört zu den Widerstandsmythen gegen Dionysos und ist Aition deren Agrionia (Plut. qu.Gr. 299ef). Während alle ander Frauen auf den Bergen den Gott feierten, blieben die Minyaden am Webstuhl und ließen sich vom Gott durch keinerlei Wunderzeichen verführen. Schließlich machte Dionysos sie wahnsinnig; sie zerrissen den Sohn de…

[English version] (Διονύσια). Bezeichnung für das Fest des Dionysos, das für den Dionysoskult vieler griech. Poleis kennzeichnend ist; oft sind es die Wintermonate, in denen die D. stattfanden. (1) In Athen waren D. Teil eines über vier Wintermonate ausgedehnten Festzyklus, der von den ländlichen D. (τὰ κατ' ἄγρους Δ., im Monat Posideon) über Lenaia (Monat Gamelion) und Anthesteria (Monat Anthesterion) zu den städtischen oder Großen D. (τά ἐν ἄστει Δ., Monat Elaphebolion) führte [1]. Die ländlichen D. sind durch die Überna…

(Ἀχαιός). [English version] [1] Sohn des Xuthos und der Kreusa Sohn des Xuthos und der Kreusa, Enkel des Hellen, Bruder des Ion (Hes. fr. 10a 20-24; Apollod. 1,49 f.). Er siedelte in Achaia (Eur. Ion 1592-4; Philochor. FGrH 328 F 13) oder in Thessalien (Paus. 7,1,2), von wo aus seine Söhne Archandros and Architeles nach Argos gegangen sein sollen (Paus. 7,1,6). Die Mythen spiegeln Versuche, eine Sonderstellung der Achaier in der Peloponnes zu begründen. Graf, Fritz (Princeton) Bibliography M. L. West, The Hesiodic Catalogue of Women, 1985, 57 f. [English version] [2] aus Eretreia Trag…

[English version] (Ἀδμήτη). Tochter des Eurystheus, Herapriesterin in Argos, für die Herakles den Gürtel der Amazonenkönigin Hippolyte holte (Apollod. 2,99). Sie flieht mit dem Kultbild nach Samos und wird dort Herapriesterin; daran hängt das Kultaition des samischen Festes der Tonaia (Athen. 15,672). Hera. Graf, Fritz (Princeton) Bibliography M. Schmidt, s. v. A., LIMC 1.1, 216-218.

[English version] (Αὐγείας, Αὐγέας). König der Epeier (Hom. Il. 11,698), häufiger der Eleer oder von Ephyra. Seine Genealogie schwankt - Vater ist häufig und alt Helios, mit dem ihn auch sein Name (von αὐγέα, “Glanz, Strahl”) verbindet; daneben stehen Poseidon oder Phorbas, Mutter Hyrmine, Bruder Aktor. Er ist reich an Rinderherden, wie sein Vater Helios; sein Schatzhaus erbauten Trophonios und Agamedes; daran knüpft sich seit der Telegonie eine Novelle vom Meisterdieb (Schol. Aristoph. Nub. 508; …

(ἠχώ). [English version] [1] Entstehung und Fortpflanzung von Schall Entstehung und Fortpflanzung von Schall wird als durch Schlag bewegte (zusammenhängende) Luft erklärt (Akustik); auch seine Reflexion innerhalb eines Resonanzkörpers (Hall) oder an einem geeigneten, meist glatten Körper, verstanden als Umschlagen (Widerhall, E.), ist in dieser Erklärung mit einbegriffen (Theophr. de sensu 9 [Empedokles], 53 [Demokrit]; Aristot. an. 2,8, 419b 25ff., probl. 11,6,899a 24-25 und 11,8,899b 25ff., wohl nach A…

[English version] (sc. psalmi oder hymni). Lieder, deren Verse oder Strophen mit je einem Buchstaben des Alphabets der Reihe nach beginnen. Sie sind seit Jer 1-4 in der jüd. Lit. belegt; Ps 145 ist bis h. Kultgebet. In der paganen Lit. sind sie etwa in den späten Hymnen auf Dionysos (Anth. Pal. 9,524) oder Apollon (Anth. Pal. 9,525) und in der Magie (PGM IV 1363) belegt. In der christl. Lit. ist Augustins Psalm contra partem Donati (PL 43,25-32) am bekanntesten, gedichtet 393 oder 394 für die ›ganz Ungebildeten zum Auswendiglernen‹. Akrostichon. Graf, Fritz (Princeton) Bibliography F. Dor…

(Ἀλκαῖος). Der sprechende myth. Name ( alkḗ, “Stärke”) hängt mit Herakles zusammen. [English version] [1] Großvater des Herakles, Sohn von Perseus und Andromeda Großvater des Herakles, Sohn des Perseus und der Andromeda, Mann der Pelopstochter Astydameia, Vater des Amphitryon und der Anaxo, Großvater des Herakles (Hes. scut. 26; Schol. Eur. Hec. 886). Auch die Namensform Alkeus scheint belegt zu sein, die für das Patronymikon Alkeides besser paßt. Graf, Fritz (Princeton) [English version] [2] Ursprünglicher Name des Herakles Urspr. Name des Herakles, auf Befehl des delph…

[English version] (Ἀονίη). Landschaft Boiotiens, in der sich der Helikon befindet, genannt nach dem alten Volk der Aones und ihrem Eponym Aon, dem Sohn Poseidons (Schol. Stat. Theb. 134). In der griech.-hell. und bes. der röm. Dichtung werden Ableitungen davon als gelehrte Bezeichnungen Boiotiens (Kall. fr. 2a 30 mit Schol.; Verg. ecl. 6,65), Thebens (Kall. h. 4,75 mit Schol.), des Helikon (Verg. georg. 3,11) und der mit ihm verbundenen Quelle Aganippe (Verg. ecl. 10,12) und der Musen (Ov. met. 5,333) verwendet. Graf, Fritz (Princeton)

[English version] (Ἀλεξάνωρ). Heilheros mit sprechendem Namen (“Schützer der Männer”, vgl. Alkon), der zusammen mit dem Heilgott Euhamerion im Asklepieion von Sikyon (Titane) verehrt wurde. Er ist in nordostpeloponnesische Heilmyth. eingebunden: Der lokale Mythos machte ihn zum Sohn des Asklepiossohns Machaon und Stifter des sikyonischen Heiligtums mit seinem altertümlichen Kultbild (Paus. 2,11,5-7). In Argos galt er als Bruder des Sphyros (Stifter des argiv. Asklepieions: Paus. 2,23,4), in Eua in der Thyreatis als der des lokalen Heilers Polemokrates (Paus. 2,38,6). Graf,…

[English version] (ἐπιφάνεια, “Sichtbarwerdung, Erscheinung”). Erscheinung einer Gottheit, wie sie in der spontanen Visison, im aktuellen rituellen Geschehen (Ekstase) und in der Erzählung manifest werden; solche Erscheinungen gehören zu übermenschlichen Wesen überhaupt. Da sich göttl. Sein v.a. in der tätigen Hilfe dem Menschen gegenüber zeigt, werden seit hell. Zeit hilfreich präsente Gottheiten mit der Epiklese “erscheinend” (ἐπιφανής, epiphanḗs , lat. praesens) bezeichnet. In der minoischen Religion scheinen E. eine wichtige Rolle zu spielen; mehrere…

[English version] (Ἄντικλος). Einer der Griechen im hölzernen Pferd. Er wollte Helena antworten, als sie beim auf der Burg stehenden Pferd die Stimmen der griech. Frauen nachahmte, doch Odysseus verschloß ihm den Mund, bis Athena die Helena wegführte (Hom. Od. 4,271-89; Q. Smyrn. 12,317; Apollod. ep. 5,19; Ov. Ib. 567). Graf, Fritz (Princeton)

[English version] (ἐποπτεία, das “Hinsehen”). Eine der Einweihungsstufen in die Mysterien; wer sie erreicht hat, ist epóptēs. In Eleusis, wo der Terminus urspr. zuhause war, bezeichnete e. eine auf die erste Einweihung (Myesis) folgende Stufe - die e. war entweder die eigentliche “Schau” anläßlich der Mysterienfeier, in der die Myesis die individuelle, außerhalb des Mysterienfestes vollziehbare Weihe wäre, oder eher eine zweite, fakultative Stufe nach der obligatorischen mýēsis [1; 2]. In jedem Fall unterstreicht der Terminus die Bed. des Sehens in den eleusini…

[English version] (Ἀμυμώνη). Tochter des Danaos und der Europe. Von Poseidon ist sie Mutter des Nauplios (Nostoi fr. 1; Hes. fr. 297; Paus. 2,38,2); ein Fluß in Lerna heißt nach ihr, und die Quelle von Lerna wird ihr zugeschrieben (Strab. 8,6,8; Paus. 2,37,1. 4). Ihren Mythos erzählen Hyg. fab. 169 und Apollod. 2,14 in der Form, die auf ein Satyrspiel, wohl Aischylos' A., zurückgeht. Von Danaos ausgeschickt, um im wasserarmen Argos eine Quelle zu suchen, scheucht sie versehentlich einen schlafende…

(Ἀκραία). [English version] [1] Felshügel in der Argolis Felshügel in Argolis, dessen Name in der Sage von einer Tochter Akraia des Flußgottes Asterion abgeleitet wird (Paus. 2,17,1); Graf, Fritz (Princeton) [English version] [2] (Akraios), griech. Götterbeiname (auch Akraios, Ἀκραῖος) Epiklese von Göttinnen (Aphrodite, Artemis, Athena, Hera, der phrygischen Meter [1]) und Göttern (Zeus [2]; Men), deren Heiligtümer sich auf einer Anhöhe befanden. Graf, Fritz (Princeton) Bibliography 1 Denkschriften der Akad. Wien 80, 1962, 5 Nr. 2 2 H. Schwabl, s. v. A., RE X A, 265 f.

[English version] In der durch Vergil bestimmten Tradition ist I. der einzige Sohn des Aineias (Aeneas) und der Troerin Kreusa (Creusa), Ahnherr der röm. gens Iulia; in Troia heißt er Ilus, dann Ascanius (Aen. 1,267f.). Der Name Askanios für einen (meist den ältesten) Sohn des Aineias erscheint erst nachhomerisch (bei Homer heißen zwei Verbündete der Troianer so, Hom. Il. 2,862 aus dem phryg. Askania; 13,790), sowohl in Gründungslegenden (Hellanikos FGrH 4 F 31; Dion. Hal. ant. 1,54,2), die seine Ankunft in Italien auss…

I. Theorie des Mythos [English version] A. Definition Eine alle Disziplinen befriedigende Definition von M. (μῦθος/ mýthos; lat. mythos) zu finden, erweist sich trotz vieler Versuche als unmöglich. Am befriedigendsten hat sich die auf G.S. Kirk und W. Burkert zurückgehende Bestimmung von M. als einer ‘traditionellen Erzählung von kollektiver Bedeutsamkeit’ erwiesen [1; 2]; selbst sie wird aber der Funktion von M. in der nachklass. Ant. - als Inhalt unterhaltender Erzähldichtung wie etwa Ovids (Ovidius Naso) ‘Metamorphosen oder Nonnos' Dionysiaká - nur teilweise gerecht. D…

[English version] (Καταιβάτης, “der herabsteigt”). Epiklese des Zeus und des Hermes. Für Zeus ist die Epiklese inschr. sehr oft belegt und gilt dem Gott, der sich durch den Blitzeinschlag manifestiert (“der [im Blitz] herniederfährt”). Das vom Blitz getroffene Erdstück ( enēlýsion, Poll. 9, vgl. das röm. fulmen condere) ist unbetretbar ( ábaton), wird dem Zeus geweiht und durch eine Stelle oder einen Altar markiert. Daß die Athener dann auch den Ort, an dem Demetrios [2] Poliorketes vom Wagen stieg, mit einem Altar für ihn als Demetrios K. weiht…

[English version] [1] Günstling von Alexandros [II 13] I. (Balas) (Mitte 2. Jh. v. Chr.) Günstling von Alexandros [II 13] I. (Balas); herrschte an dessen Stelle in Syrien, ließ Verwandte und Anhänger des (toten) Demetrios I. umbringen und unterdrückte die Antiochener. Als er einen Anschlag auf Alexandros' wohl wichtigsten Förderer, Ptolemaios VI., versucht hatte und dieser seine Auslieferung forderte, Alexandros sie jedoch verweigerte, brach Ptolemaios mit Alexandros: Trotz seiner Verkleidung als Frau wurde A.…

[English version] Erhält an den Iden des März in ihrem Hain (Martial. 4,64; 16) am 1. Meilenstein der Via Flaminia in Tibernähe eine Feier, die durch ein Opfer für ein gutes Jahr ut commode liceat annare perennareque (Macrob. Sat. 1,12,6) und durch beiden Geschlechtern gemeinsames Trinken in Zelten und Laubhütten gekennzeichnet ist (Ov. fast. 3,523-540); Datum, Ritus und ominaler Charakter weisen auf ein Auflösungsfest im Umkreis des Jahresanfangs. Herkunft und Charakter der Göttin sind der Ant. ebenso unklar wie der modernen Fors…

[English version] (χίμαιρα). Ch., “Ziege”, ist das von Bellerophon getötete lyk. Ungeheuer, ‘vorne Löwe, hinten Schlange, in der Mitte Ziege’ (Hom. Il. 6,181 = Lucr. 5,905). Es ist Kind des Typhon und der Echidna, der Mutter der Sphinx (Phix: Hes. theog. 319-326), nach anderer Überlieferung wurde es von dem Lykier Amisodaros aufgezogen (Hom. Il. 16,328). Fester Bestandteil des Mythos ist seit Homer, daß es Feuer speit, nach Ov. met. 9,647 und Apollod. 2,31 aus dem namengebenden Ziegenkopf (anders …

(Ἀπελλῆς). [English version] [1] Maked. Politiker, gest. 218 v. Chr. Makedone, einflußreicher Vertrauter des Antigonos [3] Doson, seit 222 v. Chr. Vormund für Philipp V., kritisierte 219/8 als “Traditionalist” die Adriapolitik des Königs und seine proachaiische Orientierung unter dem Einfluß des Aratos, gegen den er mit Leontios und Megaleas intrigierte (Pol. 4,76; 82-87); 218 wurde ihr Komplott gegen Philipp V. entdeckt und A. in Korinth hingerichtet (Pol. 5,2,8; 16; 26-28; Plut. Aratus 48) [1. 167-170]. Günther, Linda-Marie (München) [English version] [2] Maked. Politike…

[English version] Frau des Latinerkönigs Latinus, Mutter der Lavinia. Sie widersetzt sich der Heirat ihrer Tochter mit Aeneias, weil sie ihren Neffen Turnus (Serv. Aen. 7,366) favorisiert, und ist so mitverantwortlich für den Krieg gegen Aeneias (Dion. Hal. ant. 1,64,2; Verg. Aen. 7,56 ff.; Origo gent. Rom. 13,5). Da sie Turnus vorzeitig für tot hält, verübt sie Selbstmord durch Erhängen (Verg. Aen. 12,595 ff.) oder Nahrungsentzug (Fabius Pictor ap. Serv. Aen. 12,603; HRR fr. 1, S. 112 Nr. 1). Ihr…

(Ἱππόλυτος). [English version] [1] Sohn des Theseus und einer Amazone Sohn des Theseus und einer Amazone (Antiope [2] oder Hippolyte). Sein mythisch-lit. Bild ist maßgeblich durch die H.-Dramen des Sophokles ( Phaídra, verloren) und bes. des Euripides geprägt, den verlorenen früheren H. Kalyptómenos (‘der verhüllte H.) und den erhaltenen H. Stephanēphóros (‘der Kranzträger H.). Beide gehen von der Liebe der Stiefmutter Phaidra aus, welche H. ablehnt, worauf Phaidra ihn der sexuellen Nachstellung anklagt; der erzürnte Theseus verflucht H., und P…

(Δῖα, Δία). [English version] [1] weibl. Entsprechung zu Zeus Die weibliche Entsprechung zu Zeus, als Diwija auf den Linear B-Inschr. aus Pylos und Knosos, mit einem eigenen Heiligtum, wie im myk. Pantheon auch Poseidon seine feminine Entsprechung hat [1]. In nachmyk. Zeit haben die drei Heroinen, die mit der myk. Göttin durch Namensverwandtschaft verbunden werden können, alle Beziehungen zu Zeus, doch ist eine Herleitung im einzelnen problematisch. Graf, Fritz (Princeton) [English version] [2] Heroine in den lokalen Kulten von Phleius und Sikyon Am ehesten so zu verstehen is…

[English version] (Ἀκεσώ). Heilheroin ( akéomai “heilen”), Tochter des Asklepios und der Epione, verehrt in Epidauros (Suda s. v.Ἠπιόνη 578 Adler). In Athen ist sie inschriftl. mit Iaso, Panakeia, Hygieia (LSCG 21 A) und Aigle [4] als Tochter Epiones verbunden (CIA III 171 b). Graf, Fritz (Princeton) Bibliography Edelstein, Asclepius Bd. 2, 87 ff.  J. Larson, Greek Heroine Cults, 1994, 62 f.