According to Greek mythology, the Korybantes, also spelled Corybantes or Corybants, were the armed and crested dancers who worshipped the Phrygian goddess Cybele with drumming and dancing. They are also called the Kurbantes in Phrygia.
Overview
According to Greek mythology, the Korybantes or Corybantes (also Corybants) were the armed and crested dancers who worshipped the Phrygian goddess Cybele with drumming and dancing. They are also called the Kurbantes in Phrygia.
Etymology
The name Korybantes is of uncertain etymology. Edzard Johan Furnée and R. S. P. Beekes have suggested a Pre-Greek origin.
Others refer the name to *κορυβή (korybé), the Macedonian version of κορυφή (koryphé) "crown, top, mountain peak", explaining their association with mountains, particularly Olympus.
Family
The Korybantes were the offspring of Apollo and the Muse Thalia or Rhytia (Rhetia). One account attests the parentage to Zeus and the Muse Calliope, or of Helios and Athena, or lastly, of Cronus.
