The Cult of Hecate in Lydia: Evidence from the Manisa Museum

Abstract

In the article, the cult of Hecate is examined provided by the monuments in the Manisa Museum and those related to Hecate published to date. The monuments have been compiled in a catalogue and interpreted archaeologically in terms of the cult. The catalogue is divided into 5 parts: 1. The monuments whose provenance is established, 2. The monuments whose provenance remains unknown, 3. The monuments outside the museum, 4. Coins, 5. Two other monuments that may be re­lated to Hecate. Only two inscriptions concerning to the cult have been attested in the Lydia to date (see cat. no. 6 and 8). Apart from the inscriptions, there are Hecateia and stelai and reliefs on which the depiction of the Hecateion is found. Yet, the worship of Hecate is not particularly prevalent in the Lydia Region. Still, nearly 20 examples provide clear indication of the existence of the goddess in this region. Their find spots are Philadelphia, Maionia, Satala, Thyateira, Sardis, Kollyda and Sidas. Given their provenance, one can suggest that there were cultic places or local temples in Philadelphia and Maionia. It can be understood from the monuments addressed in this article that the goddess was not worshipped in the whole of Lydia, but only in the eastern parts of the region (south of Mysia Abbaïtis). In the article it is argued that this situation can be explained as due to the effect of the cult being very widespread in the Phrygia Region, reverberating on the adjacent area of the Lydia Region. It is also underlined that the effect of the cult was limited in the west of Lydia, since Hellenization was common here. It is possible to state that all the monuments in the article date from the 2nd century A.D.

Keywords

• hekate
• lydia
• manisa müzesi
• hekateion
• mysia abbatis
• hecate
• lydia
• manisa museum
• hecateion
• mysia abbaïtis