Translated by Catherine Proppe
February 27, 2015
48. Σαβαζίου, θυμίαμα ἀρώματα.
To Sabazios
Divine connection: aromatics
Κλῦθι, πάτερ, Κρόνου υἱέ, Σαβάζιε, κύδιμε δαῖμον,
I call father Kronos’[1] grandchild Sabazie[2], exulted power,
ὃς Βάκχον Διόνυσον, ἐρίβρομον, εἰραφιώτην,
Bacchian[3] Dionysian, powerfully exploded, then in-sewn
μηρῶι ἐγκατέραψας, ὅπως τετελεσμένος ἔλθηι
Thigh implanted[4] and sewn in order to bring to fulfillment of birth
Τμῶλον ἐς ἠγάθεον παρὰ Ἵππαν καλλιπάρηιον.
Tmolian[5] leader of deities for Ipta[6] of beautiful complexion
ἀλλά, μάκαρ, Φρυγίης μεδέων, βασιλεύτατε πάντων,
But blessed Phrygian power, rule extending over all
εὐμενέων ἐπαρωγὸς ἐπέλθοις μυστιπόλοισιν.
Graciously confer aid upon arrival at the mystic city.
[1] Kronos is the immortal God of time.
[2] Sabazios is a Phrygian (modern Turkey) deity whose mysteries resemble those of Dionysos: “synchronized (Σα) + basis (βά) + spark life (ζιε)”
Suidas s.v. Sabazios (trans. Suda On Line) (Byzantine Greek lexicon C10th CE.) : "Sabazios: He is the same [God] as Dionysos. He acquired this form of address from the rite pertaining to him; for the barbarians call the bakkhic cry sabazein. Hence some of the Greeks too follow suit and call the cry sabasmos; thereby Dionysos [becomes] Sabazios. They also used to call saboi those places that had been dedicated to him and his Bakkhantes." (Theoi.com)
[3] Bacchos and Dionysos are names of the immortal God of wine and its effects.
[4] Dionysos was born from the thigh of the immortal God Zeus after his mortal mother Semele was consumed in the lightnings of Zeus. Meer- (μηρ-), in addition to meaning “thigh” also means twine/cord and may refer to the practice of tying grape vines. The name “Semele” is associated with the word for “toad (φρύνη).” It is interesting to note that some toads lay their eggs in bunches like grapes and the male “common midwife toad” twines the eggs around his thighs until they are ready to hatch (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphibian#mediaviewer/File:Alytes_obstetricans_almogavarii_-_male_with_eggs_2.jpg )
[5] Mount Tmolos, south of Sardis and just west of ancient Philadelphia (in modern Turkey), was the location of an important ancient temple of Kybele, the immortal Mother of the Goddesses and Gods (Herodotus Book V).
[6] Ipta (Ἵπτα) is the immortal Phrygian (modern Turkey) Goddess (associated with the Mother Goddess Rhea/Kybele) who, according to Orphic tradition, fostered Dionysos when he was born from the thigh of Zeus.
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