Acdestis and the marriage of Attis (1)

Text
Arnobius of Sicca, Adversus nationes 5.7:
As for Acdestis, bursting with anger at having the boy torn from him and brought to have interest in a wife, he inspires all the guests with fury and madness. Terror-stricken, the Phrygians cry out “Adore, adore”; the daughter of the concubine of Gallus cuts off her breasts . Attis snatches the flute which the one who was goading them to fury was carrying, and being himself full of frenzy, and roving about, hurls himself down at last, and under a pine tree mutilates himself. With the stream of blood his life flits away. From the blood which flowed, a flower springs up, the violet, and entwines the tree. Thence was derived and arose the custom that even now the sacred pines are veiled and garlanded.

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Arnobius of Sicca, Adversus nationes 5.7

Bibliography

Amar Annus

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