Altar of Kotys

Kotys was the Thracian goddess of war and slaughter. Unlike some other gods of battle, Kotys was celebrated with an explosion of riotous festivals. These festivals were known as Cottyttia, and involved nights of hedonistic behaviour, such as huge orgies. They were originally practised in secret because of their notorious obscenity. Strabo speaks of these festivals and their music, with drummers beating out a heavy cadence and 'shrill cries' from stringed instruments, creating a 'terrifying sound'. These revelries were first intended to commemorate the rape of Persephone, an event in Greek mythology where the goddess of vegetation was kidnapped by Hades and taken to the underworld. There is some indication that the Hellenisation of Kotys meant her worship as far west as Magna Graecia and Sicily. Those who followed Kotys were known as Baptes, or 'washers', as they washed themselves thoroughly in a ritual of purification before beginning the Cottyttia.