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The Unutterable Symbols of (Γ)-Θέμις

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 June 2011

Louis Roberts
Affiliation:
Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13210

Extract

In his Protreptikos (2,22) Clement of Alexandria rages against the contents of the mystic chests used in the rites of the mystery religions. Among other items he lists such things as cakes, salt balls, the serpent, and adds as though an afterthought, “the ἀπόῤῥητα σύμβολα of (Γ)-Θἐμις, ὀρίγανον a lamp, a sword, and a κτεὶς γυναικεῖος, which is a euphemism used in the mysteries for the female parts.” What was the association of these objects with (Γ)-Θέμις? What evidence might Clement have had for such an association?

Information

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © President and Fellows of Harvard College 1975

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