Samothrace Sanctuary
placeIsland sanctuary of the Cabeiri mysteries, which promised protection from shipwreck.
The Myth
The sanctuary on Samothrace hosted mystery rites second only to Eleusis in prestige. Unlike Eleusis, initiation was open to anyone — slave or free, Greek or barbarian, man or woman. The rites centred on the Cabeiri, enigmatic deities whose very nature was secret. Initiates believed they gained protection at sea. Philip II of Macedon met Olympias here — their son would be Alexander the Great. The famous Winged Victory statue was originally erected overlooking the sanctuary.
Symbols
Fun Fact
The Winged Victory of Samothrace, now the centrepiece of the Louvre's Daru staircase, originally stood in the island's sanctuary as a ship's prow monument.
Explore Further
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