Also called Cybele, Mater Deum Magna Idaea.
Their story
In 204 BC, during the war with Hannibal, prophetic books advised Rome to bring the Great Mother from Pessinus in Asia Minor, in the form of a black stone. When the ship ran aground in the Tiber, Claudia Quinta, whose chastity had been doubted, pulled it free with her belt. Her temple on the Palatine was dedicated in 191 BC, and the Megalesia games were held in April. Her eunuch priests, the galli, were foreigners, and Roman citizens were at first barred from joining them.
Best times to give to them
- Megalesia, 4 to 10 April
- Lavatio (washing of her image), 27 March
What they like being given
- Moretum, a herb and cheese dish
- Honey
- Pine cones
- Incense
How to honour them
- Offer a simple herb and cheese dish in April, as Ovid describes.
- Drum or clap a steady rhythm in her honour.
- Pray for protection of your home town.
How they can help you
- Protection
- Strength of mothers
- Rhythm and ecstasy in safe measure
Symbols
- lion
- turreted crown
- drum
- black stone
- pine
Her cult was Anatolian in origin and kept a foreign character in Rome.
Sources
- Livy 29.10-14
- Ovid, Fasti 4
- Beard, North and Price, Religions of Rome (1998)
More Roman goddesses
- Juno Queen of heaven and protector of women
- Minerva Patron of craftworkers, teachers and healers
- Venus Mother of the Roman people and goddess of love
- Diana Lady of the woodland grove and the moon
- Vesta The living flame at the heart of home and Rome
- Ceres Mother of the grain and friend of the common people
- Luna The moon, shining through the night
- Libera Partner of Liber in the Aventine triad