The Cult Cave of the Mother Goddess in Metropolis

The sacred precinct of the Mother Goddess consists of two caves located on the slope of Mt. Gallesion, 4.5 km north of Metropolis. The lower cave is smaller in size. Numerous votive findings offered to the Mother Goddess for both caves are treated within the frame work of the thesis both chronologically and from the view of cult ceremonies. The votive offerings range from the Early Bronze Age until the Roman Period. The Hellenistic Period, 2nd cent. B.C., and the Roman Period between 75-100 A.D. are the most productive time spans which the statistics clearly show. Same periodical density has been also attested in the discoveries at the excavations carried out in Metropolis. Various votive offerings like terracotta figurines, pottery, lamp, glass were found in the caves. Among them the fragments of the figurines of the Mother Goddess leave no doubt that the cave sanctuaries were dedicated to the Mother Goddess. The drinking cups, cooking pots and plates in pottery point out the cult meals mentioned in the literary sources. The drinking cups which indicate the importance of the drinking ceremonies were found in great numbers whereas the cooking pots and plates are less represented. Most of the meals were possibly grilled. The great number of lamps found in the caves show clearly that the ceremonies continued also during the night time. The frequent discovery of the nuckle bones help to clarify their purpose of use that they were attached to the whips used by priests of the Goddess, besides they were also used for fortune telling. Finally judging from the great number of the terracotta figurines depicting the Mother Goddess, it can be firmly stated that the caves belonged to the Mother Goddess. Key Words: Mother Goddess, Cave, Cult, Attis, Votive, Offering, Ceramic, Meter.