Date of Award
Spring 5-24-2019
Document Type
Honors Project
University Scholars Director
Dr. Christine Chaney
First Advisor/Committee Member
Dr. Owen Ewald
Second Advisor/Committee Member
Dr. Rod Stiling
Keywords
Roman reception, Eastern cult, Magna Mater cult, Cybele, galli, 'western civilization', Orientalism, gender, classical xenophobia, cultural appropriation, white supremacy, classics, Attis
Abstract
This paper argues for a more critical approach to classics, pushing for the de-sanctification of classical antiquity and deconstruction of ‘western civilization’ as a tool able to be co-opted by white supremacist agendas. In the latter part of the paper, I demonstrate what I hope this will look like through analysis of Roman reception of the Mother of the Gods cult, known in Rome as the cult of Cybele or Magna Mater, or the Phrygian cult, and how Roman reactions to the cult reveal xenophobic sentiments and toxic masculinity within the social fabric. Throughout this work, I engage with questions of identity, differentiation, and cultural exchange.
Recommended Citation
Reeves, Janessa, "Co-Opted, Cults and the Classics: Highlighting the Magna Mater Cult in Rome" (2019). Honors Projects. 112.
https://digitalcommons.spu.edu/honorsprojects/112
Included in
Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity Commons, Cultural History Commons, History of Religion Commons, Social History Commons
Comments
A project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the University Scholars Honors Program.