View source for Chrysame of Thessaly

In [[Ancient Greece]], '''Chrysame''' ([[Greek language|Greek]]: Χρυσάμη) was a [[Thessaly|Thessalian]] priestess of [[Enodia]]. She is famous for using herbs to defeat the Ionians at [[Erythrae (Boeotia)|Erythrae]], granting Cnopus of Codridae victory in the battle. [[Ancient Thessaly|Thessaly]] was known for [[witchcraft]], especially the usage of herbs.<ref name=":1">Ogden, D. (2009). Magic, witchcraft, and ghosts in the Greek and Roman worlds: A sourcebook. Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press.</ref> Thessalian witches were said to even be capable of drawing down the [[Selene|moon]].<ref>Edmonds, R. I. G. G. (2019). ''Drawing Down the Moon: Magic in the Ancient Greco-Roman World''. Princeton University Press.</ref> Therefore, Chrysame’s usage of herbs is appropriate for a [[Ancient Thessaly|Thessalian]] priestess.<ref name=":1" /> Especially [[Enodia]], who is the goddess of [[Road|roads]], [[Apotropaic magic|protection]], the city, [[Cemetery|cemeteries]], and who was identified with [[Hecate]].<ref>Iles Johnston, Sarah (2013-08-02). ''[https://m.california.universitypressscholarship.com/mobile/view/10.1525/california/9780520217072.001.0001/upso-9780520217072 Restless Dead.]'' University of California Press. {{ISBN|978-0-520-21707-2}}.</ref>
== Chrysame’s defeat of the Erythraians ==
According to [[Polyaenus]], a conqueror named Cnopus of Codridae was fighting with the Ionians at Erythrai after the recent [[Ionian Islands|Ionian]] colonisation of [[Anatolia|Asia Minor]].<ref name=":0">C.D. Graninger, « Apollo, Ennodia, and fourth-century Thessaly », Kernos, 22 | 2009, 109-124.</ref> Cnopus received an oracle one day that stated:<ref name=":0" />
{{quote|text={{lang|el|στρατηγὸν παρὰ Θεσσαλῶν λαβεῖν τὴν ἱέρειαν τῆς Ἐνοδίας.}}
to take as general from the Thessalians, the priestess of Ennodia.|multiline=yes}}Therefore an embassy was sent to retrieve the priestess, due to the oracle.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Polyaenus: Stratagems- BOOK 8, Chapters 26-71|url=http://www.attalus.org/translate/polyaenus8B.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061012033731/http://www.attalus.org/translate/polyaenus8B.html |archive-date=2006-10-12 |access-date=|website=Attalus}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
Chrysame chose a large and beautiful [[bull]], gilded his horns, then decorated him with garlands, and purple ribbons embroidered with gold.<ref name=":2" /> She mixed a medicinal herb that would excite madness into his food and ordered him to be kept in the stall and fed upon it.<ref name=":2" />
The concoction would cause anyone to eat it to be seized with madness. Anyone who ate the flesh of the bull when it was in such a state would be seized by the same affliction. When the enemy encamped against her, she directed an altar to be raised in sight of them; and after every preparation for a sacrifice had been made, the bull was brought forth. Under the influence of the concoction, the bull broke loose.<ref name=":2" /> The bull ran wild into the plain with fury and attacked everything in his way. The Erythraians saw the bull running towards their camp and considered it a good omen.<ref name=":2" /> They seized the bull and offered him to their gods. All of the Erythraians ate a piece of the flesh. The whole army was soon afterwards seized with madness, and exhibited the same marks of wildness and frenzy the bull had done.<ref name=":2" /> When Chrysame saw this, she ordered Cnopus immediately to draw out his forces and charge the enemy. Incapable of making any defences, the Erythraians were cut to pieces, therefore defeated. Cnopus made himself master of [[Erythrae (Boeotia)|Erythrae]], which was a great and flourishing city.<ref name=":2" />
== See also ==
* [[Enodia]]
* [[Ancient Thessaly]]
* [[Magic in the Greco-Roman world]]
== References ==
<references />
== Further reading ==
* Graninger, C. D. [https://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/2595?mode=full "The Regional Cults of Thessaly"] (2006 dissertation)
* Edmonds, R. I. G. G. (2019). Drawing Down the Moon: Magic in the Ancient Greco-Roman World. Princeton University Press.
[[Category:Thessalian mythology]]
[[Category:Ancient Greek priestesses]]