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2.7d Attis<br />

2.7 Magna Mater and her cult<br />

1. Turreted crown; a symbol of her role as proteccress of cities. See 2.7e; Ovid, Fasti<br />

iv.219-21.<br />

2. In her right hand she holds a patent, in her left a tympanum (see 2.7e, with n.5).<br />

3. Lions - a Standard aecompaniment ofthe goddess, elsewhere shown on her lap or resting<br />

at her feet. See 2.7e; Ovid, Fasti IV.215-18.<br />

Closely associated with Magna Macer is the figure of Atcis - who (aecording to<br />

most versions of his myth) castrated himself after being driven into a frenzy by<br />

Magna Mater, jealous of his affection for another woman. He was not only the<br />

mythical proto type ofthe eunuch cult officials, the galli (8.7), but also the<br />

focus of a series of rituals that were part of public Roman ritual by the early<br />

Principate. For hymns to Atcis, see 12.7e (iv).<br />

It has been thought that Attis was introduced considerably later than Magna<br />

Mater; that it was only in the Empire that this aggressively 'oricntal' deity was<br />

admiteed to <strong>Rome</strong>. But excavations on the site ofthe Palatine temple of Magna<br />

Mater have produced numerous statuettes of Attis (such as those illustrated)<br />

from early phases (second to first centuries B.C.) of its occupation.<br />

See further: Vol. 1, 97-8, 164-6; Lambrechts (1962), with review by North<br />

(1965); Vermaseren (1966); (1977a) 41-3, 113-24*; for che archaeological<br />

material, Romanelli (1963); Vermaseren (1977b) 11-36.<br />

47

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