Saba'zius
(
*Saba/zios), a Phrygian divinity, commonly described as a son of Rhea or Cybele ; but in later times he was identified with the mystic Dionysus, who hence is sometimes called Dionysus Sabazius. (
Aristoph. Birds 873; Hesych.
s. v.) For the same reason Sabazius is called a son of Zeus by Persephone, and is said to have been reared by a nymph Nyssa; though others, by philosophical speculations, were led to consider him a son of Cabeirus, Dionysus, or Cronos.
He was torn by the Titans into seven pieces. (Joan. Lydus,
De Mens. p. 82; Orph.
Fragm. 8.46, p. 469, ed. Herm.,
Hymn. 47; Cic.
de Nat. Deor. 3.23.)
The connection of Sabazius with the Phrygian mother of the gods accounts for the fact that he was identified, to a certain extent, with Zeus himself, who is mentioned as Zeus Sabazius, both Zeus and Dionysus having been brought up by Cybele or Rhea. (
V. Max. 1.3.4.) His worship and festivals (Sabazia) were also introduced into Greece; but, at least in the time of Demosthenes, it was not thought reputable to take part in them, for they were celebrated at night by both sexes with purifications, initiations, and immoralities. (
Diod. 4.4; Demosth.
de Coron. p. 313 ;
Strab. x. p.471;
Aristoph. Wasps 9,
Lysistr. 389.) Serpents, which were sacred to him, acted a prominent part at the Sabazia and in the processions (Clemens Alex.
Protrept. p. 6; Theophrast.
Char. 16): the god himself was represented with horns, because, it is said, he was the first that yoked oxen to the plough for agriculture. (
Diod. 4.4.]
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