Atys

Name of a god that 19th-century scholars wrongly conflated with the god Attis. Lovecraft was probably following this usage, so his references to "Atys" should be read as "Attis." The god Attis was "the consort of Cybele, in Phrygian and Greek mythology. His priests were eunuchs, the Galli, as explained by origin myths pertaining to Attis castrating himself. Attis was also a Phrygian vegetation deity. His self-mutilation, death, and resurrection represents the fruits of the earth, which die in winter only to rise again in the spring. According to Ovid's Metamorphoses, Attis transformed himself into a pine tree." [Attis, Wikipedia, ret. 07/15/2024]

Arthur Feldon referred to Atys while reciting the names of various Greek deities [HPL Electric (online text)].

The name Atys was carved in the sub-cellar beneath Exham Priory. The priory's owner, Delapore, was disturbed by the mention of Atys, for he "had read Catullus and knew something of the hideous rites of the Eastern god, whose worship was so mixed with that of Cybele." Delapore mentioned Atys in a rant after he killed Edward Norrys. [HPL Rats (online text)]

Return to Cthulhu Universalis Contents Page

Return to CthulhuFiles.com Home Page

Send comments to jfm.baharna@gmail.com.

© Copyright 1996-2025 by Joseph Morales