The
DACTYLS
The DACTYLS, sometimes identified with the CORYBANTES, were
wizards and attendants of the Mother of the Gods
(Rhea 1, wife of Cronos), and they lived
in Phrygia about Mt.
Ida. The Idaean DACTYLS were appointed by Rhea 1 to guard her
newborn son Zeus. They were
one hundred in number, or perhaps only ten, being
called DACTYLS for this last number. It is said
that the first male DACTYLS were five in number,
being the first to discover and work iron, as well
as many other useful things for the purposes of
life, and that their sisters were five in number.
It is suspected that both CURETES and CORYBANTES were
offspring of the Idaean DACTYLS. The first hundred
men born in Crete, they
say, were called Idaean DACTYLS. It is said that as
offspring of these were born nine CURETES and each
of these begot ten children who were called Idaean
DACTYLS.
The DACTYLS are said to have joined Dionysus 2 in his
campaign against India. |
List of
DACTYLS
Acmon 3.
Son of Socus 2 and Combe 2. Acmon 3 came with his brothers to join Dionysus 2 in his war
against the Indians. He is also counted among the CORYBANTES. Socus 2 is said to have cast his wife and sons out of their country. He was himself killed by King Cecrops 1 of Athens (Nonn.13.135.ff.; Strab.10.3.22).
Celmis.
Son of Anchiale, one of the NYMPHS, who bore her
children in the Dictaean cave in Crete. Celmis is counted
among the Idaean DACTYLS, and as the most faithful
friend of the infant Zeus. Celmis turned into adamant (Arg.1.1130; Hes.ID.1; Ov.Met.4.282).
Cyllenus.
Son of Anchiale. Cyllenus is one of Rhea 1's dispensers of doom and assessors (Arg.1.1126, 1.1130).
Cyrbas.
One of the DACTYLS or CORYBANTES who joined Dionysus 2 in his campaign against India (Nonn.14.35).
Damnameneus 1.
Son of Anchiale. One of the Idaean DACTYLS (Arg.1.1130; Hes.ID.1).
Delas (Scythes 1).
Son of Anchiale. One of the Idaean DACTYLS, and discoverer of the art of bronze-smelting (Arg.1.1130; Hes.ID.1).
Epimedes.
Son of Anchiale (Arg.1.1130; Pau.5.7.6).
Heracles 2.
One of the DACTYLS, called Idaean Heracles. Son of Anchiale (Arg.1.1130; Cic.ND.3.42; Pau.5.7.6, 9.19.5, 9.27.8; Strab.8.3.30).
Iasius 1.
Son of Anchiale (Arg.1.1130; Pau.5.7.6).
Idas 3 (Acesidas).
Son of Anchiale (Arg.1.1130; Pau.5.7.6).
Paeonaeus.
Son of Anchiale (Arg.1.1130; Pau.5.7.6).
Pyrrhichus.
Pyrrhichus gathered a varied army for Dionysus 2 to make war
against the Indians. He is also counted among the
CURETES and the CORYBANTES (Nonn.13.40, 14.34; Pau.3.25.2).
Titias 1.
Son of Anchiale. Titias 1 is one of Rhea 1's dispensers of doom and assessors (Arg.1.1126, 1.1130).
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