Attis
(
Ἄττις) or
Atys (
Ἄτυς). A mythological personage in the worship of the Phrygian
goddess Cybelé-Agdistis. The son of this goddess, so ran the story, had been
mutilated by the gods in terror at his gigantic strength, and from his blood sprang the
almond-tree. After eating its fruit, Nana, daughter of the river Sangarius, brought forth a
boy, whom she exposed. He was brought up first among the wild goats of the forests, and
afterwards by some shepherds, and grew up so beautiful that Agdistis fell in love with him.
Wishing to wed the daughter of the king of Pessinus in Phrygia, he was driven to madness by
the goddess. He then fled to the mountains, and destroyed his manhood at the foot of a
pine-tree, which received his spirit, while from his blood sprang violets
to garland the tree. Agdistis besought Zeus that the body of her beloved one might know no
corruption. Her prayer was heard; a tomb to Attis was raised on Mount Dindymus in the
sanctuary of Cybelé, the priests of which had to undergo emasculation for Attis's
sake. A festival of several days was held in honour of Attis and Cybelé in the
beginning of spring. A pine-tree, felled in the forest, was covered with violets, and carried
to the shrine of Cybelé as a symbol of the departed Attis. Then, amid tumultuous
music and rites of wildest sorrow, they sought and mourned for Attis on the mountains. On the
third day he was found again, the image of the goddess was purified from the contagion of
death, and a feast of joy was celebrated, as wild as had been the days of sorrow. The poem of
Catullus (q.v.) which deals with the story of
Attis, in galliambic metre, is one of the weirdest and most powerful productions in all
literature. With regard to it, see Ellis's Catullus
(2d ed. 1889), and Grant
Allen's Attis (1893).