Dactyli
(
Δάκτυλοι). Fabulous beings, to whom the discovery of
iron, and of the art of working it by means of fire, was ascribed. Mount Ida, in Phrygia, is
said to have been the original seat of the Dactyli, whence they are usually called Idaean
(
Ἰδαῖοι) Dactyli. In Phrygia they were connected with
the worship of Rhea, or Cybelé. They are sometimes confounded or identified with
the Curetes, Corybantes, and
Cabeiri (q.v.). See
Rhea.
The name
Δάκτυλοι (“Fingers”) is
variously explained from their number being five or ten, or because they dwelt at the foot
(
ἐν δακτύλοις) of Mount Ida. The original number seems to
have been three—i. e. Kelmis (
Κελμίς) the Smelter,
Damnameneus (
Δαμναμενεύς) the Hammer, and Acmon (
Ἄκμων) the Anvil. This number was afterwards increased to five,
then to ten, to fiftytwo, and finally to one hundred. See Lobeck,
Aglaophamos,
1166 foll.; Pollux, ii. 4;
Diod. v. 64.