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Occultwiki (talk | contribs) (Created page with "350px|thumb|Symbol showing the triple-goddess Hecate. '''Hecate''' is a goddess in ancient Greek religion and mythology. Her iconography most often...") |
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==Name== | ==Name== | ||
A Greek word suggested as the origin of the name Hecate is Ἑκατός ''Hekatos'', an obscure epithet of Apollo interpreted as "the far-reaching one" or "the far-darter." Though often considered the most likely Greek origin of the name, this theory does not account for her worship in Asia Minor, where her association with Artemis seems to have been a late development, and the competing theories that the attribution of darker aspects and magic to Hecate were themselves not originally part of her cult. Dutch linguist R. S. P. Beekes rejected a Greek etymology and suggested a Pre-Greek origin. | A Greek word suggested as the origin of the name Hecate is Ἑκατός ''Hekatos'', an obscure epithet of Apollo interpreted as "the far-reaching one" or "the far-darter." Though often considered the most likely Greek origin of the name, this theory does not account for her worship in Asia Minor, where her association with Artemis seems to have been a late development, and the competing theories that the attribution of darker aspects and magic to Hecate were themselves not originally part of her [[cult]]. Dutch linguist R. S. P. Beekes rejected a Greek etymology and suggested a Pre-Greek origin. | ||
In Early Modern English, the name was also pronounced disyllabically (as /ˈhɛk.ɪt/) and sometimes spelled "Hecat." It remained common practice in English to pronounce her name in two syllables, even when spelled with final "e," well into the 19th century. Webster's Dictionary of 1866 particularly credits the influence of Shakespeare for the then-predominant disyllabic pronunciation of the name. | In Early Modern English, the name was also pronounced disyllabically (as /ˈhɛk.ɪt/) and sometimes spelled "Hecat." It remained common practice in English to pronounce her name in two syllables, even when spelled with final "e," well into the 19th century. Webster's Dictionary of 1866 particularly credits the influence of Shakespeare for the then-predominant disyllabic pronunciation of the name. | ||
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==Worship== | ==Worship== | ||
The earliest definitive record of Hecate's worship dates to the 6th century BCE, in the form of a small terracotta statue of a seated goddess, identified as Hecate in its inscription. Her cult became established in Athens about 430 BCE. | The earliest definitive record of Hecate's worship dates to the 6th century BCE, in the form of a small terracotta statue of a seated goddess, identified as Hecate in its inscription. Her [[cult]] became established in Athens about 430 BCE. | ||
Worship of Hecate existed alongside other deities in major public shrines and temples in antiquity, and she had a significant role as household deity. Shrines to Hecate were often placed at doorways to homes, temples, and cities with the belief that it would protect from restless dead and other spirits. | Worship of Hecate existed alongside other deities in major public shrines and temples in antiquity, and she had a significant role as household deity. Shrines to Hecate were often placed at doorways to homes, temples, and cities with the belief that it would protect from restless dead and other spirits. | ||