KABEIRO

KABEIRO (Cabeiro) was a sea-nymph daughter of the marine-god Proteus. She was the mother of the Kabeiroi (Cabeiri) gods of Lemnos by Hephaistos (Hephaestus).

Kabeiro was perhaps identified with the prophetic sea-goddess Eidothea.

PARENTS

[1.1] PROTEUS (Pherecydes Frag, Strabo 10.3.21)

OFFSPRING

[1.1] KADMILOS (by Hephaistos) (Acusilaus Frag, Strabo 10.3.21)
[2.1] THE KABEIROI & THE KABEIRIDES (by Hephaistos) (Pherecydes Frag, Strabo 10.3.21)
[2.2] THE KABEIROI (by Hephaistos) (Nonnus Dionysiaca 14.17 & 27.325)

CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

Strabo, Geography 10. 3. 21 (trans. Jones) (Greek geographer C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"Akousilaüs (Acusilaus) [Greek mythographer C6th-5th B.C.], the Argive, calls Kadmilos (Cadmilus) the son of Kabeiro (Cabeiro) and Hephaistos (Hephaestus), and Kadmilos the father of three Kabeiroi (Cabeiri), and these the fathers of the Nymphai (Nymphs) called Kabeirides (Cabeirides).
Pherekydes (Pherecydes) [mythographer C5th B.C.] says that . . . three Kabeiroi and three Nymphai called Kabeirides were the children of Kabeiro, the daughter of Proteus, and Hephaistos, and that sacred rites were instituted in honor of each triad."

Nonnus, Dionysiaca 14. 7 ff (trans. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) :
"From the firepeak rock of Lemnos the two Kabeiroi (Cabeiri) in arms answered the stormy call answered the stormy call beside the mystic torch of Samos [Samothrake], two sons of Hephaistos (Hephaestus) whom Thrakian Kabeiro (Cabeiro) had borne to the heavenly smith, Alkon (Alcon) and Eurymedon well skilled at the forge, who bore their mother's tribal name."

Nonnus, Dionysiaca 27. 120 ff :
"[Deriades addresses his Indian troops during the war with Dionysos :] ‘Let Lemnian Kabeiro (Cabeiro) unveiled lament the death of her two sons [the Kabeiroi (Cabeiri)]; let sooty Hephaistos (Hephaestus) throw down his tongs, and see the destroyer of his race sitting in the car of the Kabeiroi.’"

Nonnus, Dionysiaca 27. 325 ff :
"[Zeus addresses Hephaistos (Hephaestus) during the Indian War of Dionysos :] ‘Do you sit still, Hephaistos, and will not you save your children? Lift your accustomed torch to defend the Kabeiroi (Cabeiri); turn your eye and see your ancient bride, your Kabeiro (Cabeiro), reproaching you in love for her sons.’"

Nonnus, Dionysiaca 29. 193 ff :
"Two firestrong citizens of Samothrake (Samothrace) [the Kabeiroi (Cabeiri)i] . . . sons of Lemnian Kabeiro (Cabeiro); their eyes flashed out their own natural sparks, which came from the red smoky flame of their father Hephaistos."

SOURCES

GREEK

• Strabo, Geography - Greek Geography C1st B.C. - C1st A.D.
• Nonnus, Dionysiaca - Greek Epic C5th A.D.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page.