This article or section should be merged with Kabeiroi
Greekfertility gods, the Cabari can be traced to Asia Minor. They were imports to Greek mythology. Very little is known about their secretive, mysterious cult, present on Lemnos, Imbros and especially Samothrace. A few remnants of their cult remain on Samothrace: the Anaktoron, the center of the cult; the Sacristy, where the records of the adepts were kept; the Tenemos, the plaza where the ancient feasts and festival were held. Somehow, their religion was connected with Hephaestus. Originally, there were two Cabari. Later, there were two male (Axiocersus and Cadmilus, his son) and two female (Axierus and Axiocersa).
The name appears to be of Phoenician origin, signifying the "great" gods, and the Cabeiri seem to have been deities of the sea who protected sailors and navigation, as such often identified with the Dioscuri, the symbol of their presence being St Elmo's fire.
Originally the Cabeiri were two in number, an older identified with Hephaestus (or Dionysus), and a younger identified with Hermes, who in the Samothracian mysteries was called Cadmilus or Casmilus.
Their cult at an early date was united with that of Demeter and Kore, with the result that two pairs of Cabeiri appeared, Hephaestus and Demeter, and Cadmilus and Kore.
A few remnants of their cult remain on Samothrace: the Anaktoron, the center of the cult; the Sacristy, where the records of the adepts were kept; the Tenemos, the plaza where the ancient feasts and festival were held.
Later, there were two male (Axiocersus and Cadmilus, his son) and two female (Axierus and Axiocersa).
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