An ancient forerunner of April Fools’ Day, Hilaria was an important religious observance for the Romans. The celebration, often held on March 25 just after the spring equinox, commemorated the resurrection day of the god Attis, son of the Great Mother Goddess Cybele. During this day of rejoicing, people wore costumes and disguises, played games, engaged in frivolity, and said and did outrageous things. Masquerades and feasts were among the most common festivities.
Barbara Walker’s The Woman’s Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets relates how holy images from the cult of Attis and Cybele traveled from Phrygia to Rome around 200 B.C.E. by the order of the powerful Cumaean Sybil. At that point in time, Cybele held prominence and was regarded as the Supreme Mother of the city. Until the 4th century A.D. her temple stood at the location of the Vatican. Her worship included bathing in the blood of the sacrificial bull, which represented her dying consort/son, Attis.
Attis was born on December 25 to Cybele’s earthly incarnation, the virgin Nana, who conceived him by eating a pomegranate. He grew up to be a sacrificial figure, slain and then eaten by his worshipers in the form of bread. His effigy was hung on a sacred tree and borne in great sorrow to the temple. He traveled to the underworld and rose from the dead after three days. His resurrection was announced with the words, “Hail, bridegroom, hail, new light.” The day was one of great joy. Nana’s name correlates to that of the Sumerian goddess Inanna, the Sabine and Roman goddess Anna Perenna, and the Nordic goddess Nanna, mother of Balder.
Ewww, I can’t say I’d go in for the bathing in blood! Very interesting how the life of Attis has so many similarities to that of Christ, even down to rising after three days.
I’m struck by the sibyl sending the statues to Rome. I want to find out more about that.
It was during the Punic Wars, when Rome was told that they needed Magna Mater’s favor to win against Carthage; and, as Aeneas was (in theory) an important ancestor to Rome, and he came from Troy, i.e. Phrygia, it was understood that this would be a kind of “homecoming” for the worship of Kybele to her Roman children.
It wasn’t statues of her or Attis that were moved from Pessinos in Phrygia, but instead a singular aniconic black stone (possibly a meteorite), which then had a number of interesting incidents associated with its moving to Rome.
Most interesting. I love the symmetry involved. Thanks for the extra information.
Always great to learn something new! 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by, Harliqueen.
Thank you so much! I love the research for the mythic and vintage posts.