Citation with stable link: Philip A. Harland, 'Phrygians: Diodoros on Battakes the priest of the great Mother visiting Rome (mid-first century BCE),' Ethnic Relations and Migration in the Ancient World, last modified March 25, 2024, https://philipharland.com/Blog/?p=18753.

Ancient authors: Diodoros, Library of History 36.13, as summarized by Photios (eighth century CE), Bibliotheke, or Collection of Books, codex 244 (link).

Comments: Photios’ continuing summary of Diodoros’ now lost books at this point turns to an incident involving Battakes, a priest from Pessinous in Phrygia who is pictured visiting Rome around 102 BCE. Since descriptions of Phrygian customs and people are scarce, it is important to include this episode which does refer to the unusual appearance of the priest. Elite Romans are pictured making fun of the priest. Ultimately, Aulus Pompeius’ disrespect for this Phrygian priest results in Pompeius’ own death. So the narrator here (Diodoros and/or his source) implies the need for respect for the Phrygian priests and the Mother of the gods. Diodoros also suggests that the Romans are especially fearful of the gods (deisidaimonein, sometimes translated “to be superstitious”).

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[For Diodoros’ preceding discussion of Thracians, go to this link]

(36.13) Battakes, a priest of the great Mother of the gods, came to Rome from Pessinous in Phrygia. He declared that he had come by command of the goddess, and he told the magistrates and senate that their temple was defiled, and that a purification paid for by the People (dēmosia) should be made in the name of the Romans. His clothing and the other ornaments of his body were very strange, and altogether unusual at Rome, because he wore a very large golden crown and a flowered gown embroidered with gold, giving the appearance of royal rank. After he had spoken to the People (dēmos) from the speaker’s platform, and filled the crowd with fear of the lower gods (deisidaimonia), he was honoured with a place to stay at the People’s expense and hospitality. However, he was forbidden to wear his crown by Aulus Pompeius, a tribune of the people [ca. 102 BCE].

When another tribune brought Battakes back to the platform, and asked how the holy sacrifices should be made, his answers were full of fear for the lower spirits. Finally, he was driven out by Pompeius’ faction, with many scorns and insults. He went back to his lodgings, and never ventured out after that, saying that they had dishonoured not only himself, but also the goddess. Before long, Pompeius came down with a high fever; then had swelling in this throat which took away his speech; and, he died on the third day.

The common people believed that his death was caused by divine providence, as a result of his offending the goddess and her priest, because the Romans are extremely fearful of the lower gods (deisidaimonia). Therefore Battakes was honoured with many presents, and allowed to continue wearing his sacred vestments with all their ornaments. When he left Rome to return home, he was escorted out of the city by a multitude of men and women.

[For Diodoros’ preceding discussion of ???, go to this link (coming soon)]

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Source of translations: Andrew Smith of Attalus.org, public domain, adapted by Harland.