ancientart:A quick look at: the cult of Cybele in Rome & aspects of her representation in Roman
ancientart:A quick look at: the cult of Cybele in Rome & aspects of her representation in Roman art.Originating from Anatolia, mother goddess Cybele was introduced into Rome in the late third century BCE during the Second Punic War, and remained popular until the early Christian era. Some practices of the cult (such as the self-castration of Cybele’s priests) caused suspicion among the authorities; because of this, at times limitations were placed on the cult. She did however receive rites as part of the official Roman cult, and her festivals were part of the official calendar. Cult statues of her were placed in temples dedicated to her, and worshipers would keep images of her in their homes for private worship. Shown is an example of her portrayal dating to A.D. 50. The Getty writes the following about the statue: Found in Rome in the 1500s, this large statue of a seated woman portrays Cybele, the mother goddess, with many of her attributes, each signifying a different role. She wears a crown in the form of a towered wall, a symbol of her role as protectress of cities. Her right hand holds a bunch of wheat and poppy heads, a symbol of her role as a goddess of agriculture. Her most famous attribute, the lion, sits at her feet, symbolizing her power over wild animals. Under her left arm she holds additional symbols: the rudder and the cornucopia.This statue’s most unusual feature is its face, which belongs to an older Roman matron, not an idealized goddess. Wealthy Roman women would frequently commission portraits of themselves depicted as if they were goddesses. Cybele is an unusual choice, however, which may indicate that this woman was a priestess in the goddess’s service.Cybele’s cult was introduced to Rome in 204 B.C. from its home in the Near East. Worship in the cult included ritual flagellation and castration; it was initially discouraged for Roman citizens. By the time this portrait was created, however, many of the cult’s wilder aspects had been tamed or eliminated.Artifact courtesy & currently located at the Getty Villa, Malibu, via their online collections. -- source link
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