History of Kybele, Goddess of Fertility
Kybele is a goddess from ancient Anatolia and the Roman Empire. Cybele’s origins are associated with Phrygian mythology and later spread to Greco-Roman cultures. Cybele is a goddess often depicted in connection with fertility, nature, fertility, mountains, forests and city states.
Cybele’s mythology is complex and has been subject to different interpretations in different periods. Phrygians accepted Kybele as the mother goddess. Cybele’s symbol is generally known as a horned bull representing fertility. Their statues are usually made of stone or metal and have large, tower-shaped capitals.
Kybele cult, B.C. It emerged in Phrygia in the 6th century and spread to the Roman Empire over time. In the Roman Empire, the cult of Cybele was widely adopted and many temples were dedicated to her. The worship of Cybele often involved fertility rituals, music and dance.
Cybele’s popularity in the Roman Empire was also manifested in a number of religious festivals. The most important of these festivals is the Megalesia festival, held in honor of Kybele and resulting in a great celebration.
Although the cult of Kybele underwent changes over time, it remained an important goddess in the ancient world and its influence was felt in many cultures. Even today, the mythology and cult of Cybele are considered a part of the rich cultural heritage of ancient times.
The Legend of Kybele
Kybele’s mythology consists of a series of stories told in different ways in various sources in ancient times. However, in general, Kybele’s rise as a goddess and her association with fertility is one of the main themes.
According to one version, Kybele, was born in the Phrygia region of Anatolia and was worshiped as a goddess there. Kybele’s association with fertility, nature, forests and mountains comes from the idea that she represents the main energies of nature.
One of the most common legends of Cybele describes her relationship with a young man named Attis. Attis was a prince of Phrygia and served as priest of Cybele. Attis was young, handsome, and had begun a fruitful agricultural year. However, the jealousy of the other gods was triggered by Attis’ beauty and fertility.
According to legend, other gods wanted to haunt Attis and break Kybele’s bond with him. They punished Attis with insanity and he cut himself. Cybele was deeply saddened by Attis’ death, but the gods took pity on her and immortalized Attis’ body. This event symbolizes the themes of death and resurrection in Cybele’s cycle of nature.
These legends emphasize the belief that Kybele represents abundance, fertility and change in the cycle of nature. Although the cult of Kybele has undergone different variations in different cultures and periods over time, it has generally been accepted as a powerful goddess associated with nature and the abundance of life.
Kybele Returns to Homeland
With centuries of history, Turkey is a cradle of civilizations. And like many civilizations, Turkey has precious statues that narrates the history.
And one of the most important statues of Anatolia, the wonderful statue of Kybele, dating from the 3rd century CE was brought back to Turkey.
Kybele is a native Anatolian goddess, according to iconographic patterns, her roots go back, at least to Neolithic period. Several statues of “Anatolian Mother Goddess” were captured at excavations at Catalhoyuk and many other Neolithic sites.
This goddess of fertility and birth, was called Kubaba by the Hittites, Kybele by the Phrygians and sometimes she was worshipped under the name Artemis, sometimes Aphrodite and sometimes Demeter during the Hellenistic and Roman times, however, her iconography never changed. She was so powerful in Anatolia as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, The Temple of Artemis at Ephesos, was dedicated to her and name “The Ephesian Artemis”. Turks named Anatolia; Anadolu, land of mothers when they arrived here.
Anatolian Mother Goddess, Kybele statue can be seen at İstanbul Archeology Museum.
