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The DACTYLS, sometimes identified with the
CORYBANTES, were
wizards and attendants of the Mother of the Gods
(Rhea 1, wife of
Cronos), and they lived
in Phrygia about Mt.
Ida. The Idaean DACTYLS
were appointed by
Rhea 1 to guard her
newborn son Zeus. They were
one hundred in number, or perhaps only ten, being
called DACTYLS for this last number. It is said
that the first male DACTYLS were five in number,
being the first to discover and work iron, as well
as many other useful things for the purposes of
life, and that their sisters were five in number.
It is suspected that both CURETES and
CORYBANTES were
offspring of the Idaean DACTYLS. The first hundred
men born in Crete, they
say, were called Idaean DACTYLS. It is said that as
offspring of these were born nine CURETES and each
of these begot ten children who were called Idaean
DACTYLS.
The DACTYLS are said to have joined
Dionysus 2 in his
campaign against India.
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Acmon 3.
Son of Socus 2 and Combe 2. Acmon 3 came with
his brothers to join
Dionysus 2 in his war
against the Indians. He is also counted among the
CORYBANTES. Socus 2
is said to have cast his wife and sons out of their
country. He was himself killed by King Cecrops 1 of
Athens [Nonn.13.135.ff.;
Strab.10.3.22].
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Celmis.
Son of Anchiale, one of the
NYMPHS, who bore her
children in the Dictaean cave in
Crete. Celmis is counted
among the Idaean DACTYLS, and as the most faithful
friend of the infant Zeus.
Celmis turned into adamant [Arg.1.1130; Hes.ID.1;
Ov.Met.4.282].
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