The Great Gods of Samothrace (Kabeiroi)
Thracian · deity · Mystery cult of Samothrace, Lemnos and Imbros; Archaic Hellenistic, with Thracian/Pelasgian substrate · deity
Collective entry for the Great Gods/Kabeiroi, included because their North-Aegean (Samothrace/Lemnos) mystery cult has a Thracian-Pelasgian substrate explicitly noted by ancient sources. Classified 'deity' (a divine collective; sex recorded as 'collective' since the group spans male, female and a youth attendant). Native names survive only as the Greek-transmitted mystery-names Axieros/Axiokersa/Axiokersos/Kasmilos.
Domains
- mystery initiation
- protection of seafarers
Powers
- saves initiates from peril at sea
Epithets
- Θεοὶ Μεγάλοι
- Θεοὶ Δυνατοί
Relations
- descendant of: Kadmilos, the Divine Attendant of the Great Gods
- companion: Kadmilos, the Divine Attendant of the Great Gods
Sources
- Herodotus, Histories 2.51
- Mnaseas and the scholia naming Axieros, Axiokersa, Axiokersos, Kasmilos
- Diodorus Siculus 5.49