Kadmilos, the Divine Attendant of the Great Gods
Thracian · deity · Samothracian mystery cult; Archaic Hellenistic · Recorded classification
One of the four named Great Gods of Samothrace, given a separate entry as the Hermes-figure of the cult. Classified 'deity'. Part of the same Thracian-Pelasgian mystery complex as the Kabeiroi collective above. Native name survives only in Greek/Latin transmission.
Domains
- mystery initiation
- messengers and heralds
Powers
- serves as the youthful attendant of the mystery gods
Relations
- companion: The Great Gods of Samothrace (Kabeiroi)Kasmilos/Kadmilos is the fourth of the Samothracian Great Gods, the Hermes-like attendant who serves the triad in the mystery cult.Scholia on Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 1.917 (citing Mnaseas) (primary)
- interpretatio: HermesReciprocal of greek_hesiod_hermes.interpretatio — Ancient scholiasts identify Kasmilos/Kadmilos of the Samothracian Great Gods as Hermes. Preserves the attendant-herald function within the mysteries; the Samothracian figure has no general cult.Scholia on Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 1.917 (Kasmilos identified as Hermes) (primary)
Sources
- Kadmilos (Kasmilos/Casmilus) is the divine youthful attendant in the Samothracian mysteries, identified with Hermes and named in some traditions as father of the Kabeiroi (son of Hephaistos and the nymph Kabeiro).: Akusilaos and the scholia on Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 1.917 (primary)