Agdistis

Phrygian primordial androgyne of the Pessinus myth, born from the earth-rock Agdos and unmanned by the gods; the almond from its severed parts engendered Attis, whom Agdistis loved and drove to self-castration. Closely identified with Cybele (the Mother of Pessinus was called Agdistis).

Domains

• death and rebirth

Powers

• Engender Attis from the severed body
• Strike with frenzy and drive to self-mutilation

Epithets

• Ἄγδιστις
• Μήτηρ Ἄγδιστις

Relations

• lover: Attis
• equated with: Cybele

Sources

• Pausanias, Description of Greece 7.17.9-12
• Arnobius, Adversus Nationes 5.5-7
• Roller, In Search of God the Mother (1999)