Religion:Telete

From HandWiki

In Greek mythology, Telete[pronunciation?] was the daughter of Dionysus and Nicaea. Concerning Telete's birth, it is related that Nicaea was ashamed of having been made pregnant by Dionysus, and even attempted to hang herself; nevertheless, in due time a daughter was born to her. The Horae were said to have served as midwives at Telete's birth.[1] Telete was destined by Dionysus to become a follower of himself and his son Iacchus, her half-brother.[2]

Pausanias mentions a statue of Telete in the sanctuary of the Heliconian Muses in Boeotia. Her image was next to that of Orpheus.[3]

Telete was associated with nighttime festivities and ritual dances in honor of Dionysus,[4] and has been interpreted as a goddess of initiation into the Bacchic rites.[5]

References

  1. Nonnus, Dionysiaca, 16. 392-400
  2. Nonnus, Dionysiaca, 48. 884-885
  3. Pausanias, Description of Greece, 9. 30. 4
  4. Nonnus, Dionysiaca, 16. 400-402
  5. Theoi Project - Telete