guardian snake of the city
animal_ally earth single tradition · 1
The guardian snake of the city was believed to be the living spirit of King Cecrops. The snake was kept at the Erechtheum, a temple housing the cult statue of Athena Polias, the mark of Poseidon Erechtheus' Trident and the salt spring, the sacred olive tree that sprouted when Athena struck the rock with her spear, and the burial places of Athens first two kings, Cecrops and Erechtheus. The most important offering during the official state rituals for the Noumenia was made to it.
When
- First attested
- 1550 BCE
- Attested period
- -1550 – 2020
- Historical notes
- Cecrops is said to have ruled Athens c. 1556–1506 BCE.
Relationships
- manifests as
- King Cecrops
- co occurs with
- Hermes, Poseidon, Hekate, Athena Polias
- manifested by
- Cecrops
Mentioned by
Sources
wikipedia (1)
Source passages
“but the most important was made to the guardian snake of the city.”
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