Adranus
Encyclopedia
Adranus or Adranos was a fire god worshipped by the Sicels
, an ancient population of the island of Sicily
. His worship occurred all over the island, but particularly in the town of Adranus, modern Adrano
, near Mount Etna
. Adranus himself was said to have lived under Mount Etna
before being driven out by the Greek god Hephaestus
, or Vulcan. According to Aelian
, about a thousand sacred dogs were kept near his temple in this town. According to Hesychius
, Adranus was said to have been the father of the Palici
, born to Adranus's lover, the nymph
Thalia
.
Some modern commentators have suggested that Adranus may have been related to the similarly named gods Adar and Adramelech
(from Persia and Phoenicia
respectively), who were also personifications of the sun or of fire in general.
Sicels
The Sicels were an Italic people who inhabited ancient Sicily. The Sicels gave Sicily the name it has held since antiquity, but they rapidly fused into the culture of Magna Graecia.-History:...
, an ancient population of the island of Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
. His worship occurred all over the island, but particularly in the town of Adranus, modern Adrano
Adrano
Adrano is a town and comune in the province of Catania on the east coast of Sicily.It is situated around 41 km northwest of Catania, which is also the capital of the province to which Adrano belongs. It lies near the foot of Mount Etna, at the confluence of the Simeto and Salso rivers. It is...
, near Mount Etna
Mount Etna
Mount Etna is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, close to Messina and Catania. It is the tallest active volcano in Europe, currently standing high, though this varies with summit eruptions; the mountain is 21 m higher than it was in 1981.. It is the highest mountain in...
. Adranus himself was said to have lived under Mount Etna
Mount Etna
Mount Etna is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, close to Messina and Catania. It is the tallest active volcano in Europe, currently standing high, though this varies with summit eruptions; the mountain is 21 m higher than it was in 1981.. It is the highest mountain in...
before being driven out by the Greek god Hephaestus
Hephaestus
Hephaestus was a Greek god whose Roman equivalent was Vulcan. He is the son of Zeus and Hera, the King and Queen of the Gods - or else, according to some accounts, of Hera alone. He was the god of technology, blacksmiths, craftsmen, artisans, sculptors, metals, metallurgy, fire and volcanoes...
, or Vulcan. According to Aelian
Claudius Aelianus
Claudius Aelianus , often seen as just Aelian, born at Praeneste, was a Roman author and teacher of rhetoric who flourished under Septimius Severus and probably outlived Elagabalus, who died in 222...
, about a thousand sacred dogs were kept near his temple in this town. According to Hesychius
Hesychius
Hesychius , may refer to:*Hesychius of Alexandria, lexicographer*St. Hesychius of Cazorla, saint, martyr, and bishop*Hesychius of Jerusalem, presbyter and exegete*Hesychius of Sinai, hieromonk and Byzantine author*Hesychius of Antioch...
, Adranus was said to have been the father of the Palici
Palici
The Palici , or Palaci, were a pair of indigenous Sicilian chthonic deities in Roman mythology, and to a lesser extent in Greek mythology. They are mentioned in Ovid V, 406, and in Virgil IX, 585...
, born to Adranus's lover, the nymph
Nymph
A nymph in Greek mythology is a female minor nature deity typically associated with a particular location or landform. Different from gods, nymphs are generally regarded as divine spirits who animate nature, and are usually depicted as beautiful, young nubile maidens who love to dance and sing;...
Thalia
Thalia (nymph)
In Greek mythology, Thalia is a nymph, the child of Hephaestus...
.
Some modern commentators have suggested that Adranus may have been related to the similarly named gods Adar and Adramelech
Adramelech
Adramelech, also called Adrammelech, Adramelek or Adar-malik, was a form of sun god. The centre of his worship was the town of Sepharvaim. According to the cult was brought by the Sepharvite colonists into Samaria: "the Sepharvites burnt their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech,...
(from Persia and Phoenicia
Phoenicia
Phoenicia , was an ancient civilization in Canaan which covered most of the western, coastal part of the Fertile Crescent. Several major Phoenician cities were built on the coastline of the Mediterranean. It was an enterprising maritime trading culture that spread across the Mediterranean from 1550...
respectively), who were also personifications of the sun or of fire in general.