The article Influence of Greek and Egyptian cultures in Art, Architecture and Religion in the Ancient Roman City of Pompeii reveals a previously unknown rite of the cult of Sabazius in Magna Graecia:
The final major foreign cult was the cult of Sabazius who was a Thracian (Northern Greek) and Phrygia (Asia Minor) god of vegetation. Although no actual public temple has been found in Pompeii a garden dedicated to the worship of Sabazius was in region 2 of Pompeii. There were dancing processions of men and women who were garlanded with herbs. The head priest would then hit each of the initiates with a serpent. Clement also wrote that the initiations were held at night and that in order to symbolise death they were covered in mud and then ‘rose’ to resurrection through the chanting of a special text. Joined in a symbolic marriage to Sabazius the initiates then celebrated with a religious banquet that allowed them to anticipate the joys that would be theirs in the afterlife.
“This here’s a fine whacking-snake. Alright folks, line up!”
Tagged: gods, italy
