THE HILARIA: ATTIS AND MAGNA MATER

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 Hilaria, the festival for the Son and Lover of Cybele, the Magna Mater, was held in March. Attis, the Shepherd, was found as a baby abandoned at a river bank. The Goddess raised Him, and fell in love with the adult Attis. When He wanted to marry someone else, She made Attis insane. In a frenzy, Attis castrated Himself on a pine tree and died. Finding his body, Cybele asked that Attis be reborn. An almond tree grew in his place, while violets (Note 1) surrounded the pine tree where his body had laid.

 

The Hilaria of Attis was a “Holy Week” or the “Passion of Attis.” This was unusual for Roman festivals, and reflected the foreign origins of Attis. When Cybele was brought to the City from Anatolia, He was adopted by Romans.

 

Notes:

Note 1. Violets were used to decorate Roman tombs.

 

The Hilaria

 

March 15: Canna intrat (The Reed Enters). The Cannophori (reed bearers) march in a procession marking the birth of Attis. During this time, followers of the Magna Mater abstained from bread, pomegranates, quinces, fish, and pork.

 

March 22: Arbor intrat (The Tree Enters). The Dendrophori (tree bearers) carried a pine tree wrapped in wool, bedecked with violets in a funeral procession. This marked the death of Attis.

 

March 23: Day of Mourning and Fasting. The pine tree is laid to rest at the temple of the Magna Mater.

 

March 24: Dies Sanguinis (Day of Blood). The devotees of Attis and Cybele whipped themselves to offer their blood to these Gods. Meanwhile, the Galli (priests of Cybele) would play flutes and beat hand drums. Then, Attis was placed in his tomb.

 

March 25: Hilaria (Day of Rejoicing). Attis is reborn. People stage street carnivals to celebrate.

 

March 26: Requietio (Day of Rest). After the previous day’s fun, people rested.

 

March 27: Lavatio (Day of Washing). The sacred stone of Magna Mater was carried down the Appian Way to Almo, a tributary of the Tiber. The Goddess was washed with ashes and showered with violets.