CABEIRUS (phrygian smith god)
Divine power · group of Greek divinities
- Haunts and cult places
- Thebes, Thebaid, Boeotia
- In the sources
- 20 ancient passages
The Cabeiri were the sons of Hephaestus and Cabeira, the daughter of Proteus and Hephaestus.1,2 These figures were regarded as ministers, dancers, or servants in sacred rites, serving as the same attendants to the god as those found in Lemnus.3,4 Inspired with an enthusiastic and Bacchic frenzy, they performed armed dances to inspire terror during the celebration of sacred rites.4
Pherecydes stated that three Cabeiri were born from Cabeira, while many people claimed the Cabiri were identical to the Curetes, Idaean Dactyli, Curbantes, and Corybantes.2,5 Some traditions identified the Cabeiri as the same persons as the Curetes, while others viewed them as related but distinct from that group.4 Further confusion arose when some writers identified the Corybantes as being the same persons as the Cabeiri, and other accounts equated the Cabeiri with the Corybantes, Idaean Dactyli, and Telchines.6,4 Many people were unable to explain who the Cabiri actually were, leaving their identity shrouded in obscurity.5
The Cabeiri were especially worshipped at Lemnos and Imbros, and they also received divine worship in some cities of the Troad.2 In the Thebaid region, the Cabeiri had a sanctuary, and their mysteries were established at Thebes.7,8 A sanctuary dedicated to the Cabeiri was located near the center of the city of Anthedon, surrounded by a grove of trees.9 Rituals were performed in honor of the Cabeiri and the Mother, with local rites described as a gift given by Demeter to the Cabeiri.10,11
Their rituals involved the tumultuous noise of cymbals, drums, armour, and pipes.4 These sacred ceremonies were nearly identical to those performed among the Samothracians in Lemnus, and the Samothracians learned the rites of the Cabeiri from the Pelasgians.4,12 The anger of the Cabeiri could not be appeased by any human being, and those who desecrated their sanctuary were struck with madness and threw themselves into the sea or off cliffs.13,14 Macedonians who entered the Cabeiri sanctuary were killed by thunder and lightning.7
However, the Argives forced the Cabeiri out of their dwellings during the Epigoni invasion, and rituals dedicated to them stopped being performed for a period after their expulsion.15 Pelarge and Isthmiades later re-established the Cabeiri mysteries at a location named Alexiarus.15 Soldiers of Xerxes entered the Cabeiri's sanctuary to show contempt for their gods, while the remaining members of the Cabeiri clan returned to the location called Cabeiraea.14,13 Though temples of the Cabeiri at Memphis were destroyed by Cambyses, the Samothracians currently practice the rites of the Cabeiri.2,12
The codex facts behind this entry
Some Amphissians claim the Boy Kings are actually the Cabeiri. Pausanias 10.38.7 The Thebans claim a city once existed whose inhabitants were known as the Cabeiri. Pausanias 9.25.6 The Cabeiri are identified as ministers, dancers, or servants in sacred rites. Strabo 10.3.15
Powers
The Cabeiri are described as being inspired with an enthusiastic and Bacchic frenzy. Strabo 10.3.7 The anger of the Cabeiri cannot be appeased by any human being. Pausanias 9.25.8
In the myths
Macedonians who entered the Cabeiri sanctuary were killed by thunder and lightning. Pausanias 9.25.10 The Argives forced the Cabeiri out of their dwellings during the Epigoni invasion. Pausanias 9.25.7 Pelarge and Isthmiades later re-established the Cabeiri mysteries at a location named Alexiarus. Pausanias 9.25.7 Soldiers of Xerxes entered the Cabeiri's sanctuary to show contempt for their gods. Pausanias 9.25.9 The images of the Cabeiri were burnt by an intruder with bitter mockery. Herodotus 3.37.3 They perform armed dances to inspire terror during the celebration of sacred rites. Strabo 10.3.7 Demeter entrusted a specific item to the keeping of Prometheus and his son Aetnaelis. Pausanias 9.25.6 The local rites are described as a gift given by Demeter to the Cabeiri. Pausanias 9.25.6
Worship
Rituals are performed in honor of the Cabeiri and the Mother. Pausanias 9.25.5 The Samothracians currently practice the rites of the Cabeiri. Herodotus 2.51.2 They are grouped with figures like Corybantes and Satyri in ritual contexts. Strabo 10.3.15 Many people claim the Cabiri are identical to the Curbantes and Corybantes. Strabo 7.fragments.51 Many people claim the Cabiri are identical to the Curetes and Idaean Dactyli. Strabo 7.fragments.51 Stesimbrotus of Thasus believed sacred rites in Samothrace honored the Cabeiri. Strabo 10.3.20
Fate
The temples of the Cabeiri at Memphis were destroyed by Cambyses. Strabo 10.3.21 Rituals dedicated to the Cabeiri stopped being performed for a period after their expulsion. Pausanias 9.25.7 The lives and actions of the Cabeiri are described as being mysterious. Strabo 10.3.19 Those who desecrated the Cabeiri's sanctuary were struck with madness and threw themselves into the sea or off cliffs. Pausanias 9.25.9
