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The Kabeiri were the patron-gods of the famed Kabeirian Mysteries of Samothrace (an agricultural mystery-cult closely related to the more famous Eleusinian Mysteries). You can read more athttp://www.theoi.com/Kronos/Kabeiroi.html
RegardsSusan

I recall this from a long time ago, so I will have to try to pull more from memory, but I believe the Cabiri was also the name both for the seven (at the time, known) planets and for a sect called the Cabiri, who were supposedly gods who "fell from the sky" originally. But it has been a long time, so I will check this to verify.
Fertility rites should not be considered "orgies"; I think modern perspectives and vocabulary get in the way of understanding some things. Yes, fertility rites involved, in some instances, sexual aspects, but not always, and not always with the "orgiastic fever" so often implied or perceived. In many cases, the sexual act took place only between a priestess and a selected person who represented the male principle. Even when multiple sexual acts took place, they had religious purpose and function and took place under specific "laws" if you will. And whatever happened during these rites was not to be spoken of again, nor brought up in conversation.

I recall this from a long time ago, so I will have to try to pull more from memory, but I believe the Cabiri was also the name both for the seven (at the time, known) planets and for a sect called the Cabiri.But it has been a long time, so I will check this to verify.
Fertility rites should not be considered "orgies"; I think modern perspectives and vocabulary get in the way of understanding some things. Yes, fertility rites involved, in some instances, sexual aspects, but not always, and not always with the "orgiastic fever" so often implied or perceived. In many cases, the sexual act took place only between a priestess and a selected person who represented the male principle. Even when multiple sexual acts took place, they had religious purpose and function and took place under specific "laws" if you will. And whatever happened during these rites was not to be spoken of again, nor brought up in conversation.

Sorry for double posting- technology wins again

The Kaberoi are pretty obscure. I remember trying to find out a little about them some time ago, and giving up in fustration. But they certainly were worshipped on Samothrace, and had a temple there. I believe the festival in their honour was a nine day affair. What it consisted of is anyoneGÇÖs guess, as even at the time it was probably kept quiet from all but initiates.It might have been possible for Philip to witness the spectacle, as in one or two renditions the Argonauts were introduced to the rites; so the cult mightnGÇÖt have been exclusively female.Nonetheless, there is something irresistibly exotic about hints we hear of the mystery cults, with all those overtures of frenzied abandon. Euripides, in his GÇÿBacchaeGÇÖ, gives us a powerful portrait of the women of Thebes possessed by Dionysos. I donGÇÖt think it was any accident that he turned to the subject when he was in ArchelausGÇÖ court in Macedonia. The rites at that time seem to have been stronger there than in the south. If so, perhaps OlympiasGÇÖ reported devotion was not propagandist exaggeration. Would love to have seen what happened. Then again, it might have turned out to be a terrible disappointment, with no abandon at all. WouldnGÇÖt that be awful?

The Macedonians were "Dionysians," he being one of their major Gods attested to both by art, history and practices not the least being their great fondness for drink as illustrated both in historical pieces and in their grave goods which signify an afterlife where they certainly intended to imbibe freely. It should come as no surprise that Euripides would write a play of their favored god.

Thank you so much, Susan. That explains a lot to me. Wow! Now I understand so much more. God bless you, as I really needed that!Jan

I really enjoyed your explanation, and find it a most interesting and intriguing idea. "falling from the sky"? As I have said in an earlier post, the movie by Fellini makes me think that the name Cabiri is or could be associated with this cult. This is all too fascinating.

Hi Jan,I've never come across Arthur Weigall, but if I remember previous posts of yours where you've mentioned him, he wrote a novel, rather than an academic book about Alexander. Yes?If that is the case, then please remember that you have to take great care over the credibility of what you read in fiction. Authors have to sell their books and, just as we have been discussing about the movies, this sometimes means they have to massage the facts to make them more sellable.But, on the other hand, I don't know much about the mystery religions etc., but I would be surprised if there were any 'orgies' as such, particularly not of the kind that I am now fantasising about...:-)All the bestMarcus

Philip met Olympias on the island of Samothraki where the Temple to the Great Gods was a shrine supported by the Macedonian royalty but frequented by all kinds of others including foreigners. It was not an orgiastic cult but a very serious one dedicated to the ancient Thracian Earth Mother. I've visited there and done a lot of research on it for my novel. Olympias was a princess, daughter of Molossian royalty (from Epirus). She was probably about 14 when he first saw her and they were reputedly drawn to each other. At any rate it was a good political match for Philip. The cult there is a very interesting one. I have a lot of info about it. And I have been to the Temple of the Great Gods and touched the remnants of the huge magnetic stone that represented the Mother Goddess. The supplicants used to had metal rings on it as offerings. Want to know more about it? I think I have lots of info on hand.

There's very little information on the Caviroi and the Cavirean mysteries (cult). They were held in Samothrace, Lemnos and Imvros. According to the legend, Zeus taught the cult to Jason who spread it. According to Herodotus, the first inhabitants of Samothrace were the Pelasgoi and they first founded this cult. According to Diodorus of Sicily it was Orpheus. But it was the Achaeans that in 1200 bc. first recorded as Gods the names of Zeus, Hecate, Apollo and Caviroi. There were four of them, Axieros, Axiokersa, Axiokeros and Casmilos. According to Aristeides (the rhetor not the Polemarch) they were elder "demons" and were considered to be children of Uranus. Another tale mentions that they were children of Hyphaistos and the daughter of the sea-demon Proteus, Caveiro. Fire was a significant element in their rituals and it seems that their name - Caviroi - originates from the root Caio (burn). They're related to Hyphaistos as protectors of the blacksmiths.Ancient writers have described the rituals, as they were not secret as the Elefsinian ones. Samothrace was known to the Greeks as the "Delphi of the North" because of the fame of this ritual that existed up to the 4th century A.D.

Hi all, Ruth wrote:> Want to know more about it? I think I have lots of info on hand. Want to know more about it? I think I have lots of info on hand. Want to know more about it? I think I have lots of info on hand. YES YES YES, I do, I do! Send me everything you can.Love & peace,
Karen

Thanks, Ruth, for sharing your experience with us. I really would love to know more about it.I just watched the movie Nights of Cabiri which is an Italian film starring Federico Fellini's wife who played the role of Cabiri. I wonder if her name is related to this site. Who knows?Strange things happen on the internet. Do you plan to include your information on your website or on this site? Like Karen, whose letter I've already read, I would like to know all about it.Thanks so much,Jan

I have forgotten if I said thanks for this information, Susan, but I sincerely appreciate it.
The relationship to Demeterpersephone is important to me as that is the name I use on My Dear Diary.