The Museion of Ancient Art

Magna Mater was a goddess worshiped throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. She was known by many names, including Cybele, Rhea, and Mother Earth. Magna Mater was associated with fertility, abundance, and the natural world. She was also a goddess of war and death.

There are many images of Magna Mater that have survived from the ancient world. Some of the most famous images include:

The Cybele of the Ludovisi Museum: This is a marble statue of Magna Mater seated on a throne. She is wearing a crown and holding a drum and a cymbal.
The Cybele of Ostia: This is a marble relief of Magna Mater seated on a lion-drawn chariot. She is flanked by lions and bears.
The Cybele of Pergamon: This is a marble statue of Magna Mater seated on a throne. She is wearing a crown and holding a scepter and a thunderbolt.

These images of Magna Mater show her as a powerful and majestic goddess. She is often depicted with lions, which were her sacred animals. She is also often depicted with symbols of fertility and abundance, such as fruit and flowers.

Monuments and Wonders

There are a number of monuments and wonders dedicated to Magna Mater. Some of the most famous include:

The Temple of Cybele in Rome: This temple was built in the 2nd century BC and was one of the largest and most important temples in Rome.
The Sanctuary of Cybele in Pessinus: This sanctuary was located in Asia Minor and was the most important center of Cybele worship in the Roman Empire.
The Cave of Cybele on Mount Ida: This cave was located on the island of Crete and was believed to be the birthplace of Cybele.

These monuments and wonders show the importance of Magna Mater in the ancient world. She was one of the most popular and widely worshiped goddesses.

Goddess Images On Artifacts and Coins

Images of Magna Mater can also be found on a variety of artifacts and coins. For example, she is often depicted on Roman coins and on pottery. She is also depicted on amulets and other jewelry.

These images of Magna Mater show that she was a popular goddess in all walks of life. She was worshiped by both the rich and the poor, and by both men and women.

Sexuality in Ancient Times

Magna Mater was associated with both fertility and sexuality. She was often depicted with nude breasts and with symbols of fertility, such as fruit and flowers.

The cult of Magna Mater was also known for its sexual rituals. For example, the Galli, who were priests of Magna Mater, castrated themselves in her honor.

Magna Mater's association with sexuality shows that she was a complex and multifaceted goddess. She was both a goddess of fertility and a goddess of death. She was also a goddess of both male and female sexuality.

Cybele, Attis, and the Gallae

In the Roman Empire, Magna Mater was often identified with the Greek goddess Cybele. Cybele was associated with the myths of Attis and the Gallae.

Attis was a shepherd who was castrated by Cybele. The Gallae were priests of Cybele who also castrated themselves in her honor.

The myths of Attis and the Gallae show the wild and ecstatic nature of Cybele's worship. Her cult was known for its intense rituals and its devotion to the goddess.

Legacy of the Divine Feminine

Magna Mater was a powerful and influential goddess. She was worshipped throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. Her cult was known for its intense rituals and its devotion to the goddess.

Magna Mater's legacy can still be seen today. She is still worshipped by some people, and her image is still used in art and literature. She is a reminder of the power of the divine feminine.