On the Syrian Goddess

On the Syrian Goddess PDF

Author: Lucian of Samosata

Publisher: e-artnow

Published: 2021-10-21

Total Pages: 75

ISBN-13:

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On the Syrian Goddess is a Greek treatise of the second century AD which describes religious cults practiced at the temple of Hierapolis Bambyce, now Manbij, in Syria. Not only does it acknowledge that at one time a paramount Goddess was worshipped in the regions of the Ancient Near East, it goes into detail of the practices of her devotees which later generations considered reprehensible. The book describes the worship as being of a phallic character, with votaries offering little male figures of wood and bronze. There were also huge phalli set up like obelisks before the temple, which were ceremoniously climbed once a year and decorated. The treatise begins with a re-telling of the Atrahasis flood myth where floodwaters are drained through a small cleft in the rock under the temple. Nonetheless, On the Syrian Goddess played an important role in the development of modern Neopaganism.

The Syrian Goddess

The Syrian Goddess PDF

Author: Lucian

Publisher:

Published: 2010-05-22

Total Pages: 90

ISBN-13: 9781452881621

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To the student of oriental religions the Dea Syria is brimful of interest. It describes the cult and worship of the goddess of Northern Syria, Atargatis, at her sacred city, Hierapolis, now Mumbij. The time when Lucian wrote would be the middle of the second century B.C. We do not see any reason to reject the traditional authorship of the treatise: on the contrary, the work seems to reveal the famous satirist at home, taking a natural interest in local memories and institutions, while making, doubtless, mental notes that were to prove of use in the works for which he is best known. INTRODUCTORYThe Sacred CityOrigins of Temples and ShrinesTHE OLDEST SHRINES AND CULTS OF SYRIA.Hercules of TyreThe Phœnician Astarte at Sidon. Legend of EuropaAphrodite of Byblos and the Legend of AdonisLegend of Osiris at ByblosThe Adonis River; its red colourCult of Aphrodite in the Lebanon at AphacaHierapolis: The greatest Sanctuary. Its Pilgrims LEGENDS OF FOUNDATION.Ascribed by some to Deukalion. Story of the DelugeStory of the ChasmAssigned by others to Semiramis. Derceto, the Fish-GoddessBy others again to the Lydian AttisLucian shares the View that it was founded by DionysusRe-built by StratoniceStory of Stratonice and Combabus DESCRIPTION OF THE TEMPLE AND SHRINES.The Inner Sanctuary. The EffigiesComprehensive Character of the GoddessObject between the God and GoddessThe Sun GodA Bearded ApolloImage of the God borne by the Priests in DivinationAtlas and other ImagesSacred AnimalsThe Priests and Temple Attendants RITES AND CEREMONIES.The SacrificesSacred Lake and FishesCeremony at the LakeCeremony at the Euphrates ("The Sea")Festival of the Pyre CUSTOMS AND INSTITUTIONS.The GalliTheir Initiation CeremoniesTheir BurialAnimals used in Sacrifice. Sanctity of the DoveTonsure and other Customs of PilgrimsMethod of Sacrifice. The LibationHuman SacrificeTattooSacrifice of Hair

The Syrian Goddess

The Syrian Goddess PDF

Author: Lucian

Publisher:

Published: 2016-07-30

Total Pages: 52

ISBN-13: 9781535572521

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Lucian of Samosata's De Dea Syria, (the Syrian Goddess) is one of the most 'notorious' classical writings. Not only does it acknowledge that at one time a paramount Goddess was worshipped in regions of the Ancient Near East, it goes into details of the practices of her devotees which later generations considered reprehensible. Nonetheless De Dea played an important role in the development of modern Neopaganism. Lucian recounts his personal observations of the worship of the Goddess Atargatis (a form of Isthar or Astarte) at the temple of Hierapolis, in what is today Turkey. Lucian writes in the style of Herodotus, and, remarkably, in Herodotus' dialect of Greek, which at that time was over five hundred years old. Lucian describes huge phalliform idols, cross-dressing priests who castrated themselves, ritual prostitution of female worshippers, and occasional infant human sacrifice. Among other passages of interest, there is a variant account of the Greek flood myth of Deucalion which is here blended with pre-biblical Ancient Near Eastern deluge accounts. With extensive footnotes.

On the Syrian Goddess

On the Syrian Goddess PDF

Author: Lucian (of Samosata.)

Publisher: Oxford University Press on Demand

Published: 2003-01-01

Total Pages: 606

ISBN-13: 9780199251384

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This is the first edition of and full-length commentary on On the Syrian Goddess, an Ionic ethnography of the Holy City of Hierapolis in northern Syria, where the Syrian goddess Atargatis was worshipped. This treatise is one of the most important literary sources for 'oriental' religions under the Roman Empire. Traditionally ascribed to Lucian of Samosata, the work has often been viewed as satire. Lightfoot argues for a much subtler reading, for the first time combining a literary and philological approach with the evidence of archaeology to set this complex treatise in the fullest possible context. The result bears on the religious culture of Roman Syria; on the genre of Herodotean ethnography and its revival and reception in the Second Sophistic; and on Lucian of Samosata himself. The edition is based on a fresh collation of all existing manuscripts and an English translation is provided.

Lucian's on the Syrian Goddess

Lucian's on the Syrian Goddess PDF

Author: Herbert A. Strong

Publisher: Faenum Publishing Limited

Published: 2013-07

Total Pages: 128

ISBN-13: 9780983222866

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In On the Syrian Goddess (De Dea Syria), Lucian of Samosata presents an eyewitness account of the worship of Atargatis at the Sacred City of Hierapolis in Northern Syria. The subject of much scholarly debate over its authorship and authenticity, this text may be a lampoon of Eastern religion by one of antiquity's great satirists. On the other hand, if it is authentic, it offers a rare glimpse into the little-understood world of ancient goddess worship. Describing a cult considered ancient and mysterious even in his own time, Lucian presents scenes of orgiastic luxury, gilded temples, bizarre divination, sacred animals, phallic worship, transvestite priests, violent self-castration, and many other oddities that are sure to fascinate any reader. This volume presents Lucian's Greek text, as edited by A. M. Harmon, with a parallel English translation by Herbert Strong on facing pages. This format will be useful to those wishing to read the English translation while looking at the Greek version, or vice versa. Also included are a biography of Lucian by Strong, as well as a thorough introduction and extensive footnotes by John Garstang.

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