The cult of #Cybele and #Attis (also called the cult of the #GreatMother, #MagnaMater) was long established in Rome, while the cult of #Isis and #Serapis expanded especially in the western part of the empire during the 2nd century.

DYK consorts of #MagnaMater, #Cybele, pledged #SexualPurity? Her priests—galli—#castrated themselves, penis as well as testicles & #CrossDressed as women. Like cinaedi, gallus became a term of ridicule for #passive or #effeminate men. Ghosts of #QueerHistory still haunt.