Dionysus as the founder of Syrian goddess’ temple (1)

Text
pseudo-Lucian, De Dea Syria 15:
I like what they say concerning the sanctuary, since they agree in most respects with the Greeks in considering the goddess Hera and the construction a creation of Dionysus, son of Semele. For Dionysus came to Syria on that journey which he made to Ethiopia, and in the temple there are many indications that Dionysus is the founder. Among them are the foreign clothes and the Indian gems and the tusks of elephants, which Dionysus brought from Ethiopia. In addition, two quite large phalli stand at the gateway. On them is an inscription: “These phalli I, Dionysus, dedicated to Hera, my stepmother.” As far as I am concerned, this is sufficient proof, but I will tell of another holy object of Dionysus which is in the temple. Greeks erect phalli to Dionysus on which they have something of this sort: small wooden men with large genitals. These are called puppets. This, too, is in the sanctuary. In the right part of the temple sits a small man of bronze with a large penis.

Source (list of abbreviations) (source links will open in a new browser window)
pseudo-Lucian, De Dea Syria 15

Bibliography

Amar Annus

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